In response to the mounting cases of cholera that have resulted in a number of deaths across Nigeria, WHO and several health regulatory bodies have banded up to provide comprehensive support to states plagued by the disease.
Last month, on June 15, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) declared an outbreak in Lagos following reported cases of the disease. Since then, the number of suspected cases has risen above 500, with 43 confirmed cases and a fatality rate of 5.4% among the suspected cases.
Between January 1 and June 11, 2024, the NCDC reported 1,141 suspected cases and 65 confirmed cases of cholera. 30 deaths have been also been documented in 30 states, including Lagos and Cross River.
Since the outbreak, WHO field volunteers and local government facilitators have been deployed to the crucial hotspots to ensure local coordination and strengthen timely reporting of suspected cases.
“Collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and coordination with partners is crucial for enhancing community sanitation efforts and controlling the outbreak,” said Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi.
Some of the palliative measures have included risk communication, active case search, laboratory diagnosis, case management, provision of response commodities, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, and the dissemination of cholera awareness messages in English and local languages.
Next to WHO, other organizations leading the intervention are UNICEF, the National Cholera Technical Working Group, the NCDC, including the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA),
WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Chinenye Okafor, who is leading community-based support, highlighted activities such as orientation training, on-the-job mentoring, high-level advocacy, and the strengthening of surveillance, case management, laboratory services, risk communication, community engagement, and logistics operations to combat the outbreak.
With funding from the Canadian Government (CANGiVE), WHO has ramped up community outreach efforts, providing 35 essential emergency community and periphery cholera kits capable of treating at least 5,250 people.
“While the Government of Nigeria and its partners work tirelessly to contain the outbreak, it is imperative for all stakeholders to support these efforts to halt community transmission and save lives,” said Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria.
He continued: “Controlling a cholera outbreak requires a multifaceted approach, including surveillance, water, sanitation and hygiene measures, risk communication, social mobilization, timely treatment, and oral cholera vaccines.”
More than 350 field volunteers, including WHO-supported local government facilitators, are now engaged in public health education, active case finding, and on-the-job mentoring of primary health care workers. This operational approach aims to reduce morbidity and mortality in the community.
Recently, the NCDC raised alarm about the increasing trend of cholera cases amid the rainy season. People at risk include those living in places with limited access to clean water, awful sanitation and hygiene, such as slums and gutters.
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that spreads rapidly and can lead to death when not treated. it is easily treatable with prompt administration of oral rehydration solutions or intravenous fluids. Prevention efforts focus on providing clean water, proper sanitation, vaccination with oral cholera vaccines, health education, and good food hygiene, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Symptoms
Cholera symptoms include acute, profuse, painless watery diarrhea (often described as “rice water stools”) of sudden onset, with or without vomiting. It may be associated with nausea, profuse vomiting, and fever. Severe cases can lead to death within hours due to dehydration from massive body fluid loss. However, about 80% of infected individuals may show only mild symptoms or none at all.
Treatment
Cholera can be fatal if not treated promptly. However, victims can be treated easily with oral rehydration solution (ORS) to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, and appropriate antibiotics. ORS is a powder that can be dissolved in boiled or bottled water.
Prevention
Cholera prevention involves ensuring access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation and waste disposal, and appropriate hygiene practices, including handwashing. It is advised to avoid raw fruits and vegetables, food from street vendors, and raw or undercooked seafood.
In response to the cholera outbreak in Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health bodies are providing comprehensive support to affected states. The Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) declared an outbreak in Lagos on June 15, 2024, following a rise in cases. Between January 1 and June 11, 2024, NCDC reported 1,141 suspected cases and 65 confirmed cases across 30 states, with 30 deaths.
WHO, along with local government facilitators, has deployed volunteers to critical areas to improve local coordination and timely reporting. Collaboration with various ministries and partners is aimed at enhancing community sanitation and controlling the outbreak. Measure taken include risk communication, active case searches, laboratory diagnostics, case management, provision of response commodities, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions.
WHO and other organizations, such as UNICEF and the National Cholera Technical Working Group, are leading efforts through activities including training, advocacy, and improved surveillance and case management. Funding from the Canadian Government has enabled WHO to distribute essential cholera kits to treat up to 5,250 individuals. Over 350 field volunteers are engaged in public health education and active case finding.
Amid the rainy season, NCDC has warned of increased cholera cases, particularly affecting those with limited access to clean water and proper sanitation. Cholera spreads rapidly and can be fatal if untreated but is easily managed with oral rehydration solutions or intravenous fluids. Prevention focuses on clean water, sanitation, vaccination, and good food hygiene.
Cholera symptoms include acute, watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, with severe cases leading to death due to dehydration. Treatment involves oral rehydration solutions and antibiotics. Preventive measures include access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation, handwashing, and avoiding risky foods.
