The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said that Nigeria witnessed a significant 128 percent increase in cholera cases.
The NCDC said Lagos State accounted for 60 per cent of all cases, with Lagos Island being the worst-affected local government area (LGA).
The NCDC, through its official website, said that by epidemiological week 35, the death toll had also increased by 106 percent with 204 deaths in 2024.
There were 7,056 suspected cases reported as of September 1 compared to 3,096 cases at the same time in 2023.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country declared a state of emergency over cholera on June 24.
This was due to a case fatality rate of 3.5 percent, well above the expected national average of one percent.
Cholera is a serious diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera, which remains a major health problem, especially in regions with inadequate sanitation and access to clean water.
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Understanding the transmission mechanism of cholera is essential to stop its spread and implement effective prevention measures.
The public health agency also identified other severely affected states including Bayelsa, Katsina and Zamfara.
“Cholera mortality rates improved slightly, falling to 2.9 percent from 3.2 percent in 2023,” it said.
The NCDC said it was stepping up rapid diagnostic testing and stool culture testing to contain the outbreak.
“Vulnerable groups, particularly children under five, remain the most affected,” he said.
He noted that ongoing monitoring efforts were underway and called for greater public awareness and intervention to curb the outbreak.
Meanwhile, public health experts have pointed to several factors contributing to the rise in cases.
John Okoro, an epidemiologist, highlighted the impact of inadequate sanitation in densely populated urban areas.
“The lack of adequate waste management systems and access to clean water in areas such as Lagos Island has made it a breeding ground for waterborne diseases.
“Poor sanitary conditions and overcrowded living conditions are accelerating the spread of infections,” Okoro said.
He stressed the urgent need for government intervention, saying that “improving access to safe drinking water and investing in sanitation infrastructure should be a top priority.”
“Without these changes, urban slum communities will continue to suffer from preventable outbreaks,” he said.
READ ALSO: Cholera cases and deaths on the rise worldwide, WHO reports
Peter Adamu, an environmental health specialist, also commented on the importance of addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps.
“Slum areas, especially in Lagos, have been neglected for years, which not only puts residents at risk but increases the overall public health burden in the country.
“It is time for us to prioritize these vulnerable communities if we are serious about preventing future health crises,” Adamu stressed.
He called for a comprehensive approach to urban health planning, stressing the need for multi-sectoral collaboration between health, environmental and urban planning authorities.
(YAYA)