NCDC: 70% of suspected cholera cases since January recorded in Cross River

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 922 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded across the country as of March 5.

The agency, in its latest cholera situation report, said the cases were reported in 12 states — Abia, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Sokoto and Zamfara.

The report said 32 deaths were reported from six states — Cross River (16), Ebonyi (6), Abia (6), Niger (2), Zamfara (1) and Bayelsa (1).

Of all the cases recorded since the beginning of 2023, Cross River state accounted for 70 percent of the cumulative cases across the country. The state also accounted for 50 percent of all cholera deaths in the country.

“Of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, age group >45 years is the most affected age group for male and female,” the report reads.

“Of all suspected cases, 54% are males and 46% are females.

“Six states – Cross River (647 cases; 70.2%), Ebonyi (97 cases; 10.5%), Abia (72 cases; 7.8%), Niger (38 cases; 4.1%), and Zamfara (28 cases;  3%) account for 96% of all cumulative cases.

“Fifteen LGAs across nine states Ebonyi (4), Cross River (3), Ondo (2), Bayelsa (1), Abia (1), Katsina (1), Sokoto (1) Niger (1) and Zamfara (1), reported more than 5 cases each this year.