THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised concerns over the increasing rate of cholera cases nationwide, with a total of 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases reported in 96 Local Government Areas across 30 states.
This was revealed in a statement from the NCDC, which highlighted that ten states, namely Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos have contributed significantly to the burden of cholera, accounting for 90% of the cases.
The NCDC, along with various partners including the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are supporting the affected states through the National Cholera Technical Working Group.
In response to the outbreak, the public is advised to boil and store water in clean, covered containers before drinking, practice good hand hygiene, ensure food is thoroughly cooked before consumption, and avoid open defecation and improper waste disposal.
If experiencing sudden watery diarrhea, individuals are urged not to self-medicate but seek medical attention promptly.
Cholera is transmitted through contaminated food and water, primarily caused by the bacterium Vibrio Cholerae.
The disease has a short incubation period of two hours to 5 days and poses a higher risk in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.
People at higher risk include those living in areas with inadequate sanitation, consuming contaminated food or water, or lacking proper hygiene practices as well as relatives who are caring for people sick with cholera at home.
Symptoms of cholera include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, with treatment involving oral rehydration solutions (ORS) and antibiotics.
It is crucial for infected individuals to seek medical help promptly to prevent severe complications or fatalities.
