CHOLERA: Suspected Cases Rise To 3,623, Claims 103 Lives

The disturbing cholera outbreak in Nigeria has reportedly claimed a total of 103 lives.

According to reports from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NSCDC), as of July 15, 2024, a total of 3,623 cases have been reported, and a total of 103 deaths across all 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The cases are reported to be spam between 187 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Ebonyi, Katsina, and Zamfara states accounting for 83% of the total disease burden.

The NSCDC also reported a decline in the cases and death, compared to the initial outbreak in the early months of the year, 2024, with statistics showing about 30 deaths from 1,141 suspected cases, with 65 confirmed cases across 96 LGAs in 30 states. By June 21, the numbers had risen to 34 deaths from 1,288 confirmed cases, and further increased to 53 deaths from 1,528 suspected cases by June 23.

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Speaking on this on Tuesday, July 16, the NCDC Director General, Jide Idris the outbreak saw about 2.8% children aged five being the most affected, with males accounting for 52% of the cases. However, there was a 5.6% decline in cases reported from July 8 to 14 compared to the previous week.

He attributed the decline to different factors like the weather, while cautioning that the outbreak could reach it’s peak and clash with the peak of the raining season, which is just weeks away.