By Jude Michael
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has revealed that 53 deaths and 1,528 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded across 31 states and 107 local government areas this year.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, who disclosed this while briefing the press, Monday, on the update of the cholera situation in the country, said the Federal Government had activated the National Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for cholera.
He said, ‘As of June 24, 2024, 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths have been recorded across 31 states and 107 LGAs with a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of the year.
‘These fatalities are not just statistics but a significant loss of a loved family member, a spouse, a parent, and often a seasoned healthcare worker and team member. This situation is compounded as the rainy season intensifies.’
He disclosed that experts who conducted the risk assessment last week placed Nigeria at high risk of increased risk of cholera transmission and impact.
He however stated that the EOC would coordinate the national response, especially across the affected states, to interrupt disease transmission and reduce the impact of the disease and other socioeconomic complications of the disease.
‘The decision to activate the Cholera Emergency Operation Centre underscores the gravity of the situation and our unwavering commitment to protect the health and well-being of every Nigerian,’ he said.
According to Idris, ‘The Emergency Operation Centre will serve as the nerve center for the coordination of response across the country. It will also support affected states, facilitate rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making processes, mobilize resources, expertise, and support from across the NCDC, our partners, and stakeholders at all levels of government.
‘It will ensure efficient deployment of needed resources, strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacity and capabilities, enhance case management, training and intensify public awareness and community engagement activities.
‘To effectively do this, an Incident Manager has also been appointed, who will coordinate the day-to-day activities involving several pillars such as Surveillance (data collection, analysis and dissemination); Case Management; Oral Cholera Vaccine Issues; Coordination; Infection Prevention & Control (IPC); Logistics support; and Research.’
He explained that prior to the activation of EOC, the NCDC, through the National Cholera Technical Working Group, had carried out the following prevention and response efforts, viz: prepositioning and distribution of medical supplies for case management, infection prevention, and control, laboratory diagnosis, among others to all 36 plus one states.
Idris sympathized with the families and friends who had lost their loved ones to the outbreak, just as he acknowledged the efforts of all stakeholders, including ministries, departments and agencies; state and local governments; local and international partners; healthcare workers; community leaders; and individuals that had worked hard in responding to the outbreak.
The NCDC boss called on all stakeholders – government agencies, subnational level actors, partners, civil society organizations, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and every citizen, to stem the tide of the outbreak and redouble their efforts to contain the spread and prevent further loss of lives.
