The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported that the number of cholera-related deaths recorded in the country has risen to 2,791 from 81,431 suspected cases so far in 2021.
According to the weekly epidemiological report from September 13-19, 2021, 28 out of the country’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have reported suspected cholera cases this year. In the week under review, 1,825 suspected cases were reported, a 38% decline from last week’s numbers (2,955).
These cases were reported from 15 states, which include; Zamfara (524), Bauchi (347), Yobe (302), Katsina (282), Borno (139), Adamawa (76), Kano (46), Jigawa (22), Kebbi (22), Gombe (22), Sokoto (13), Kaduna (12), Abia (12), Kwara (5) and Taraba (1).
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Amongst the 15 states, Zamfara, Bauchi, Yobe, Katsina, and Borno accounted for 87.3% of the total number of cases reported during the week.
The NCDC report read, “Of the cases reported, there were 55 deaths from Zamfara (19), Adamawa (seven), Yobe (seven), Jigawa (six) Katsina (five), Borno (five), Kebbi (two), Bauchi (two), and Kwara (two) states with a weekly case fatality ratio of 3.0%”.
“Three states of Bauchi (19,309 cases), Kano (11,783 cases) and Jigawa (10,758 cases) account for 51% of all cumulative cases. 10 LGAs across five states (Bauchi (4), Jigawa (2), Zamfara (2), Kano (1) and Katsina (1) have reported more than 1,000 cases each this year,” the report continued.
The report said that the national multi-sectoral EOC activated at level 02 continues to coordinate the national response.
In addition, the agency stated that the age group 5 to 14 years is the most affected age group for male and female out of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year while 50% are males and 50% are females.
The World Health Organisation has said that there’s a high likelihood of death within hours if the disease is left untreated.
In a factsheet published on the WHO website, the organisation said that Cholera is an extremely virulent disease which can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea and it takes between 12 hours and 5 days for a person to show symptoms after ingesting contaminated food or water.
The statement read, “Among people who develop symptoms, the majority have mild or moderate symptoms, while a minority develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if left untreated.
Furthermore, according to the health organisation, researchers have estimated that each year there are 1.3 to 4.0 million cases of cholera, and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide due to cholera.
