NCDC records 46 new deaths in one week as suspected cholera fatalities hit 2,323

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 46 new deaths linked to suspected cholera cases were recorded in one week.

The new cholera fatalities were recorded in eight states.

The agency, in its epidemiological report for week 35 — August 30 to September 5 — released on Monday, said a total of 2,323 people have died as a result of suspected cholera infections in 25 states and the federal capital territory (FCT), since the beginning of 2021.

NCDC said 1,677 cholera infections were recorded in 12 states within the one-week period, making the total suspected cases 69,925 as of September 5.

“In the reporting week, 12 states reported 1,677 suspected cases – Bauchi (566), Katsina (282), Sokoto (258), Yobe (183), Borno (179), Niger (94), Kaduna (66), Adamawa (34), Gombe (8), Kano (4), Kebbi (2), and Nasarawa (1),” the report reads.

“There was a 58% decrease in the number of new suspected cases in week 35 (1,667) compared with week 34 (3,992).

“Of the cases reported, there were 46 deaths from Borno (13), Sokoto (12), Katsina (8), Bauchi (6), Niger (3), Kaduna (2), Adamawa (1) and Kano (1) states with a weekly case fatality ratio (CFR) of 2.7%.

“Twenty-five states and FCT have reported suspected cholera cases in 2021. These are Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Osun, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

“As at 5th September 2021, a total of 69,925 suspected cases including 2,323 deaths (CFR 3.3%) have been reported from 25 states and FCT in 2021.

“Two new states (Osun and Ekiti) reported cases though with dates of onset in weeks prior to week 35.”