Suspected cholera cases increased by 128% in 2024, says NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says suspected cholera cases reported in 2024 amounted to a 128 percent increment — when compared to what obtained in the same period last year.

In its cholera situation report, the NCDC said in epidemiological week 34 (August 26 to September 1) of 2024, 62 new suspected cases and one death were reported.

The agency said the states that reported cases are Katsina (41), Lagos (13), Kano (4), Kaduna (2), Niger (1), and Gombe (1).

The NCDC said from January 1 to September 1, 2024, 7,056 suspected cases, including 204 deaths, have been reported from 36 states.

“Of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, age groups <5 years are mostly affected, followed by the age groups 25-34 years in aggregate of both males and females,” the statement reads.

“Of all suspected cases, 53% are males and 47 are females.

“Lagos (4,234 cases) accounts for 60% of all suspected cases of the 36 states that have reported cases of cholera.

“Lagos Island LGA (578 cases) in Lagos State accounts for 8% of all suspected cases reported in the country.

“Other States; Bayelsa (513 cases), Katsina (419), Zamfara (210 cases), Ebonyi (198), Rivers(166 cases), Abia (159 cases), Jigawa (143 cases), Ogun (133 cases), Imo (88 cases), Delta (85 cases), Bauchi (84 cases), Kano (77 cases), Cross River (52 cases), Osun (49 cases), Yobe (48 cases), Sokoto (42 cases), Ondo (41 cases), Oyo (33 cases), Kaduna (32) Akwa Ibom (28 cases), Benue (23 cases), Nasarawa (23 cases), Kebbi (22 cases), Kogi (21 cases), Edo (20 cases), Fct (19 cases) Ekiti (18 cases), Niger (17 cases), Gombe (16 cases), Kwara (16) and Adamawa (10) account for 41.4% of the suspected cases this year.

“Comparatively, suspected cases of cholera in the current year have increased by 128% compared to what was reported as at Epi-week 35 in 2023. Likewise, cumulative deaths recorded have increased by 106% in 2024.”