Borno, Yobe lead as NCDC records over 10,000 suspected cholera cases in 10 months

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 10,745 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded in Nigeria within 10 months.

In its latest cholera update, the agency said 31 states have reported suspected cholera cases in 2022.

The states are Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

The NCDC said between September 5 and October 2, nine states reported 4,153 suspected cases – Borno (2,626), Yobe (718), Gombe (317), Zamfara (212), Bauchi (119), Jigawa (95), Sokoto (47), Katsina (16) and Adamawa (3).

It added that this figure was a 42-percent increase compared to the previous month.

Cumulatively from the beginning of the year till October 2, there have been 10,745 suspected cases and 256 deaths.

“In the reporting week, Borno (883), Gombe (97), Bauchi (15) Yobe (8) and Sokoto (3) reported 1006 suspected cases,” the report reads.

“Borno, and Gombe states account for 97% of 1006 suspected cases reported in week 39. During the reporting week, No Cholera Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) was conducted. No stool culture test was conducted from all states reporting in epi week 39.

“Of the cases reported, there were 19 deaths with a weekly case fatality ratio (CFR) of 1.9%.

“As of 2nd October 2022, a total of 10,745 suspected cases including 256 deaths (CFR 2.4%) have been reported from 31 states in 2022.

“Of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, age group 5 -14 years is the most affected age group for male and female. Of all suspected cases, 48% are males and 52% are females.

“Eleven states – Borno (3663 cases), Yobe (1632 cases), Katsina (767 cases), Taraba (675 cases), Cross River (649 cases), Gombe (470 cases), Jigawa (417 cases) and Bauchi (304 cases) account for 86% of all cumulative cases.

“Fifteen LGAs across six states Yobe (4), Borno (4), Taraba (3), Cross River (2), Gombe (1) and Zamfara (1), reported more than 100 cases each this year.”

Meanwhile, the NCDC had recently said the outbreak of cholera has been worsened by limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities, open defecation, and poor hygiene practices.

The agency, however, said it has supported the affected states with resources for case management and laboratory diagnosis, materials for risk communications, and response guidelines.