Taraba tops list as NCDC records 470 suspected cholera cases in January

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 470 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded in the country in 2022.

According to the agency’s cholera situation report for January 3 to January 30, the cases were recorded in 10 states.

They include Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Kwara, Lagos, Taraba and Zamfara.

The NCDC, in its report, also said nine out of the suspected cases have died so far.

The agency said in week four, the last reporting week for January, 50 suspected cholera cases were recorded with two deaths.

“There was 49% decrease in the number of new suspected cases in week 03 (98) compared with week 04 (50),” the report reads.

“Taraba state with 35 account for 70% of 50 suspected cases reported in week 04.

“During the reporting week, 7 Cholera Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) was conducted. RDT conducted was from Taraba (6) and Bayelsa (1).

“Of this, a total of 3 (43%) were positive. 1 stool culture was conducted. Stool culture conducted was from Bayelsa (1). Of this, none (0%) was positive.

“Of the cases reported, there was 2 deaths from one state reporting with a weekly case fatality ratio (CFR) of 4.0%.

“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, 45% are males and 55% are females.

“Three states – Taraba (201 cases), Borno (88 cases) and Adamawa (56 cases) account for 73% of all cumulative cases.

“Ten LGAs across five states – Borno (3), Adamawa (2), Taraba (1), Bayelsa (1) and Kwara (1) reported more than 10 cases each this year.

“National Multi-sectoral Cholera TWG continues to monitor response across states.”