The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised concerns about the rising incidence of infectious diseases across the country, including cholera, Lassa fever and emerging global threats such as the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda.
During a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, NCDC director-general, Dr. Jide Idris reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of these diseases.
“Our gathering today highlights the NCDC’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding the health of Nigerians. In recent months, we have been actively managing various infectious diseases, including cholera, yellow fever, diphtheria and Mpox. Additionally, we are monitoring the global outbreak of Marburg virus in Rwanda,” Idris stated.
He noted that cholera remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in states affected by flooding and poor water and sanitation infrastructure.
“As of October 13, 2024, Nigeria has reported 14,237 cases of cholera across 35 states, resulting in 378 deaths, a case fatality rate of 2.7 per cent. Northern states, including Borno, Adamawa, Jigawa, Yobe and Kano, have been identified as the epicentres of the outbreak,” he said.
Idris expressed concern over the rapid spread of cholera among children under five, attributing the rise in cases to heavy rainfall and flooding in vulnerable areas.
“This year’s cholera outbreak has more than doubled compared to the same period last year. Our response includes deploying rapid response teams to affected areas and conducting reactive cholera vaccinations in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps,” he added.
Regarding Lassa fever and cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), Idris stated that with the onset of the dry season, the NCDC is intensifying preparedness efforts. Since the start of the year, Nigeria has recorded 1,018 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 172 deaths.
He explained that new cases are still emerging, and the NCDC is working to enhance early detection, case management and the stockpiling of essential supplies.
“Training for healthcare workers, especially in managing kidney failure, a major cause of death from Lassa fever, is ongoing. We have also installed dialysis machines at treatment centers to reduce mortality rates,” he noted.
On the global front, Idris addressed the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, which has claimed 15 lives as of October 15. He assured that Nigeria has strengthened surveillance at points of entry and activated health declaration forms for travelers.
“While there is no specific treatment for Marburg, we have identified isolation centers and are stockpiling medical supplies to respond if any cases are detected in Nigeria,” he said.
He urged Nigerians traveling to affected regions to avoid contact with wild animals, particularly fruit bats, and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as high fever, headache, or unexplained bleeding occur.
Idris also called on Nigerians to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by practicing handwashing, maintaining food hygiene and seeking timely medical care.
Additionally, he encouraged state governments to improve disease reporting to enable timely interventions and effective resource allocation.
“We need a collective effort to raise our commitment, intensify efforts, and ensure adherence to public health advisories, not just during outbreaks but beyond,” he concluded.
The NCDC, in partnership with local and international organisations, continues to lead the fight against public health threats, working towards a healthier and more resilient Nigeria.
