Rains Bring Risk NCDC Tells Citizens As Cholera Infections Climb, Celebrates Wins on Lassa Fever and Meningitis
As Nigeria enters the peak of the rainy season, health officials are sounding the alarm over a silent but deadly threat—cholera.
While the showers bring relief from the scorching heat, they also flood poorly drained areas, turning them into breeding grounds for waterborne diseases.
With over 1,200 flood-prone communities now on high alert, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned of a surge in cholera cases.
So far, 1,307 suspected cases and 34 deaths have been recorded across 30 states, prompting a swift response from the NCDC, which has begun nationwide preparedness workshops and stocked medical supplies in vulnerable zones.
Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, attributed the spike to poor sanitation and worsening floods.
He urged Nigerians to take urgent precautions, boil drinking water, prioritise hygiene, and seek immediate care when symptoms arise.
Despite this troubling trend, there is a glimmer of hope as the NCDC reports a sharp drop in Lassa fever cases from 41 to just 10 in the past month thanks to intensified surveillance and community engagement.
Meningitis cases are also declining, with vaccination campaigns and rapid response teams helping to keep the disease in check.
On Mpox, Dr Idris noted 723 suspected cases this year with three confirmed fatalities.
He reaffirmed that the agency’s containment protocols remain robust.
The NCDC continues to stress the importance of early treatment, public awareness, and transparent reporting in the fight against infectious diseases.
It is also calling on state governments to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems, especially in high-risk areas.
As the rains persist, the health agency is urging citizens to avoid contaminated water sources, practice safe food handling, and report any signs of sudden, watery diarrhoea without delay.
