Taraba, Cross River lead as NCDC records over 3,000 suspected cholera cases in 7 months

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 3,610 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded in Nigeria from January 2022 to July 2022.

The agency in its recent cholera situation update said 31 states 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.

Of these states Taraba recorded the highest number with 676 cases, followed by Cross River with 650 and Katsina with 378 cases.

According to the NCDC, between July 4 and July 31 (week 27 to 30), Bauchi (15), Borno (94), Kaduna (1), Kano (30), katsina (23), Yobe (3) and Zamfara (9) reported 175 suspected cases.

“There was 18% increase in the number of new suspected cases in July Epi week 27 – 30 (575) compared with June Epi week 22 – 26 (473),” the statement reads.

“During the reporting week, only 1 Cholera Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) was conducted. The RDT conducted was from Borno (100%) positive. 105 stool culture test was conducted from Bauchi 6 (17%), Borno 94 (0%) Kano 2 (0%), katsina 2(0%) and Yobe 1 (0%) positive.

“Of the cases reported, there were 10 deaths with a weekly case fatality ratio (CFR) of 5.7%.

“As of 31st July 2022, a total of 3610 suspected cases including 91 deaths (CFR 2.5%) have been reported from 31 states in 2022. Of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, age group <5 years is the most affected age group for male and female.

“Of all suspected cases, 49% are males and 51% are females.

“Seven LGAs across two states Cross River (2), Borno (1), kano (1) and Taraba (3) reported more than 100 cases each this year.”