The cholera outbreak in Nigeria has now claimed 156 lives, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC). Between July 15 and 21, the country reported 170 new cases and three deaths. Since January, there have been 4,809 reported cholera cases.
In response, medical supplies for case management and infection control have been distributed to health centers nationwide. Nigeria declared a national emergency on June 26 due to the outbreak.
Last year, Nigeria recorded over 3,000 cholera cases and more than 100 deaths.
Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and spread through contaminated food and water, can lead to severe diarrhea and dehydration, which can be fatal if untreated.
The country’s challenges with clean water access and medical resources exacerbate the risk of disease. Additionally, Nigeria frequently contends with outbreaks of malaria, polio, typhoid, and monkeypox.