Cholera killed 3,604 Nigerians in 2021 -NCDC

Nigeria reported no fewer than 3,604 deaths and 111,062 cases of cholera in 2021, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known in its situation report for the 52nd epidemiological and last report for 2021.

The centre also explained that while 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory were ravaged by cholera, Anambra, Edo and Imo, did not report suspected cases during the period.

“Thirty-three states and the FCT reported suspected cholera cases in 2021. These are Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, the FCT, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Kebbi. Others are Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Rivers and Zamfara,’’ NCDC disclosed.

According to the agency, children between five and 14 are the most affected since the beginning of the year. Of all suspected cases, 50 per cent are males, and 50 per cent are females. A breakdown showed that Bauchi reported 19,558 cases, Jigawa (15,141), Kano (12,116) and Zamfara (11,931).

“Eleven LGAs across five states of Bauchi (four), Zamfara (four), Kano (one), Katsina (one) and Borno (one) reported more than 1,000 cases each in the year,” it stated.

The centre further mentioned that difficulty accessing some communities due to security concerns, open defecation in affected communities, and lack of potable drinking water in some rural areas and urban slums were some of its challenges.

The agency promised to develop state-level preparedness and response plans and maintain communication with and support to states for data reporting and response.

It advised Nigerians to take hygiene seriously.

“Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of infectious diseases like Lassa Fever, COVID-19 and Cholera. We encourage the practice of regular hand hygiene (washing) to stay healthy,” it advised.