The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a major decline in cholera cases but warned that the disease is still spreading in parts of the country.
NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, gave the warning on Friday during a briefing on the cholera and diphtheria outbreaks in Nigeria.
Idris said more than 65,000 suspected cholera cases had been reported in 35 states and around 195 local government areas since the beginning of the year.
Although the number of cases has fallen, he said the death rate among reported cases was much lower than during the same period last year.
“This is important progress. But I want to be very clear: the outbreak is not over,” Idris said.
He warned that cholera infections could rise again between late August and October because of the rainy season and possible flooding.
According to him, flooding can contaminate water sources and damage sanitation systems, increasing the risk of further transmission.
Idris said early treatment had helped improve survival, especially in Borno State, where most of the cases recorded this year have occurred.
“In Borno State, where the majority of this year’s cases have occurred, outcomes have been better where treatment has been brought closer to affected communities. We are also seeing better outcomes among people who seek care early,” he said.
However, he stressed that treating patients alone would not stop the spread of the disease.
“But the data are telling us something equally important: while treatment saves lives, we cannot treat our way out of cholera,” he said.
He identified unsafe drinking water, open defecation, damaged water systems, and poor sanitation and hygiene facilities as major factors sustaining cholera transmission.
Idris said governments must therefore continue investing in water, sanitation and hygiene to prevent repeated outbreaks.
Nigeria has also recorded more than 10,000 confirmed diphtheria cases this year, according to the NCDC boss.
He said the number remained high, although the percentage of confirmed cases resulting in death had dropped significantly compared with the same period last year.
Cholera outbreak not over despite decline in cases – NCDC warns