NEWS
65,000 Cholera Cases Recorded Across Nigeria As NCDC Hails Enugu For Zero Cases
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has revealed that Nigeria has recorded more than 65,000 suspected cases of cholera across 35 states and approximately 195 Local Government Areas (LGAs) so far this year, underscoring the continuing public health challenge posed by the disease.
However, amid the nationwide spread, Enugu State has emerged as the only state yet to report a suspected case of cholera in 2026, a development the NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, attributed to what he described as deliberate and proactive measures by the state government.
Idris said Enugu’s record was particularly noteworthy because the country is currently within the rainy season, a period traditionally associated with increased cholera transmission.
The NCDC chief made the disclosure while discussing the country’s disease surveillance and outbreak-response efforts, where he raised concerns about the varying levels of preparedness and response across states.
According to him, while the federal health authorities continue to coordinate national disease-control efforts, state governments must take greater ownership of public health emergencies within their respective jurisdictions.
He stressed that effective outbreak management depends heavily on early detection, rapid intervention and sustained surveillance at the state and local government levels.
NCDC: Enugu Is Not Hiding Cholera Cases:-
Addressing the possibility that Enugu’s zero reported cases could be the result of under-reporting or concealment, Idris firmly rejected the suggestion.
He said the absence of reported cases was instead a reflection of the preventive measures being implemented by the state government.
“Enugu is the only state that has not reported cholera this year. It’s not that they are hiding the case, but the government is seriously proactive,” Idris said.
The NCDC Director-General said his personal visits to the state had given him an opportunity to assess the situation and engage directly with key officials responsible for public health.
He disclosed that he had visited Enugu more than once and held extensive discussions with both the Commissioner for Health and the state Governor.
“I have visited the state more than once.
“I have had a extensive discussions with the Commissioner and Governor. I can confirmed that the government of Enugu is serious minded one, and active in doing the needful,” he said.
Idris said his interactions with the state authorities, coupled with what he observed on the ground, convinced him that the government was taking disease prevention seriously.
Why Cholera Remains a Major Threat:
The NCDC boss also clarified that cholera should not be viewed strictly as a seasonal disease.
While transmission tends to increase during periods of heavy rainfall, the disease can occur at any time of the year, particularly in communities where water, sanitation and hygiene conditions are poor.
“Cholera is an all-year-round disease, but it peaks during the rainy season,” he said.
The rainy season creates conditions that can facilitate the contamination of drinking water sources, particularly in areas with inadequate sanitation infrastructure, flooding or poor waste disposal practices.
Against this backdrop, Enugu’s continued absence of reported cholera cases during the peak-risk period has attracted attention from public health authorities.
NCDC Raises Concern Over State Response:
Beyond the figures, Idris expressed concern about the effectiveness of outbreak responses in some parts of the country.
He warned that inadequate or delayed responses at the state level could make disease outbreaks more difficult to contain and increase the possibility of transmission spreading into neighbouring communities.
According to him, states must strengthen their disease surveillance systems and ensure that suspected cases are quickly identified, investigated and managed.
He also emphasised that public health emergencies cannot be effectively handled through federal intervention alone.
State and local authorities, he said, must be sufficiently prepared to detect threats early and immediately activate appropriate response mechanisms.
The NCDC’s position places renewed emphasis on the need for stronger coordination among federal, state and local health authorities, particularly in communities considered vulnerable to waterborne diseases.
Understanding Cholera:
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae.
The disease can spread rapidly, particularly in densely populated communities where residents have limited access to clean drinking water, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene facilities.
Without timely treatment, severe cholera can cause rapid dehydration and death.
The NCDC has therefore continued to urge states and communities to strengthen preventive measures, including improving access to safe water, maintaining proper sanitation and encouraging regular handwashing and other good hygiene practices.
The agency has also stressed the importance of early detection and prompt treatment of suspected cases, noting that rapid intervention can significantly reduce deaths and limit further transmission.
65,000 Cases Highlight Scale of National Challenge:
With more than 65,000 suspected cases recorded across 35 states and approximately 195 LGAs, the latest figures demonstrate the scale of the cholera challenge confronting Nigeria.
The contrast between the widespread outbreak and Enugu’s zero reported cases has also placed greater focus on the importance of prevention rather than waiting until an outbreak becomes established.
For the NCDC, the experience reinforces the need for states to invest continuously in disease surveillance, preparedness, safe water infrastructure, sanitation and rapid-response capacity.
Idris maintained that stronger commitment at the state level would be crucial to improving Nigeria’s ability to detect infectious diseases early, contain outbreaks and ultimately prevent avoidable deaths.
As cholera continues to affect communities across the country, the NCDC is urging governments at all levels to remain vigilant, while encouraging citizens to adopt safe water and hygiene practices to reduce their risk of infection.