On Tuesday, a urgent meeting was held in Lagos State by a coalition of global health agencies – the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the International Organization for Migration – to address the cholera outbreak that has spread across 30 states in Nigeria, as announced by Dr. Walter Mulombo, the WHO’s Country Representative, through his social media platform.
He stated, “Happening Now: @WHONigeria @UNICEF_Nigeria @IOM_Nigeria hold an emergency meeting on the emerging cholera outbreak in Lagos State. The three agencies are discussing joint @UN_Nigeria support @NCDCgov @ProfAkinAbayomi.”
According to the latest report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been over 1,141 suspected cases and over 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths from January 1 to June 11, 2024, across 96 LGAs in 30 states.
In Lagos State, the Ministry of Health recorded 350 suspected cases of cholera in 29 wards across various local government areas, with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities due to severe dehydration from delayed treatment. The Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, stated that Lagos Island was the epicentre of the outbreak, with 106 out of the 350 suspected cases reported there.
Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria found in contaminated food and water. Symptoms include sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and fever. Severe cases can lead to death from dehydration within hours, although 80% of infected individuals may have mild or no symptoms.
Cholera is endemic in Nigeria and occurs annually during the rainy season, especially in areas with poor sanitation. The 10 states contributing to 90% of the current outbreak include Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos.
As of June 11, 2024, cholera cases have been reported in 96 LGAs across 30 states, as reported by the NCDC.
