A cholera outbreak in Ndibokote village, Ezza Inyimagu, in Ebonyi State has resulted in the deaths of approximately 11 people, including men, women, and children. The outbreak, which began on September 23, 2024, has also claimed the life of a nursing mother, leaving behind a 9-month-old baby.

Dr. Moses Ekuma, the Hon. Commissioner for Health, confirmed the outbreak during a rapid response meeting at the Iziogo health center. He reported that around 9 to 10 deaths have been recorded, with about 20 individuals currently receiving treatment.

Dr. Ekuma outlined the measures taken to manage the situation and expressed gratitude to Governor Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for approving funds to procure medical supplies. He mentioned that three treatment centers, including Iziogo health center, Sudan Mission, and Ndibokote village, have been established, urging residents to take precautions to prevent further spread of the disease. He advised anyone experiencing diarrhea or vomiting to seek immediate help at the emergency treatment centers.

The Medical Expert emphasized the importance of their emergency response to prevent further fatalities, acknowledging support from organizations like WHO and UNICEF. Dr. Hyacinth Ebenyi, Director of Public Health, suggested that the outbreak may have originated from a suspected case related to a recent burial, exacerbated by open defecation and poor hygiene, as the community relies on stream water for drinking.

Community leader Elder Stephen Nwankpuma reported that upon receiving a distress call, he contacted relevant authorities, leading to prompt state government intervention. Mr. Maduabuchi Nwokpuru, a Community Health Worker, described the severe symptoms exhibited by those brought to his clinic, highlighting their efforts to save lives.

Some community members, speaking anonymously, indicated that the outbreak followed the burial of a woman suspected to have died from cholera the previous week. They expressed frustration that despite contacting the Chairman of Izzi Local Government Council and a local coordinator, they did not receive a timely response, suggesting that quicker action could have reduced the number of fatalities.

The Plateau State government has warned citizens of the state that cholera remains a significant threat to human lives, particularly in areas with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene.

Programme Coordinator of the Plateau State Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme, Jonathan Malann stated this while addressing journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

As a result, Malann said the state has taken a big step to prevent cholera outbreak in the state, following reports of the prevalence of the disease in 33 states across Nigeria.

He emphasised that cholera is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease which is also preventable with the right measures.

Malann identified common sources of cholera infection to include contamination of drinking water, uncooked food made with or washed with contaminated water, and seafood taken from contaminated water.

“Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It remains a significant threat to health, particularly in areas with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.

“It is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease, but it is also entirely preventable with the right measures,” he said.

He stressed that the Plateau State government has put in place multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms to control the spread of the disease, including working with local and international stakeholders.

Malann highlighted the importance of early identification of cholera cases, procurement of water treatment chemicals, and access to safe water in preventing the spread of the disease.

“The government has also procured bulk assorted water treatment chemicals for water supply agencies and is working to increase access to water supply services in the state,” he said.

The SURWASH boss then called on the public to take collective action and make choices to treat their water, wash their hands all the time, and avoid open defecation.

He further explained that the government has also partnered with the media to deliver Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene messages to the public to prevent cholera and other water-related diseases.

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has documented 1,598 suspected cases of cholera across 107 local government areas.

The cholera outbreak is marked by a case fatality rate of 3.5%, which is notably higher than the national average expectation of one percent, indicating the severity of the situation.

Dr. Jide Idris, the Director-General of NCDC, disclosed these figures on Monday in Abuja while updating the public on the cholera epidemiological situation in Nigeria. He also detailed the ongoing efforts at both national and sub-national levels to prevent and respond to the outbreak.

Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is a severe diarrheal illness that poses a significant health challenge, particularly in regions where sanitation and access to clean water are inadequate.

Understanding how cholera spreads is crucial for implementing effective prevention strategies to contain its transmission.

Idris stated, “The government is deeply concerned about the rapid spread and the higher-than-expected mortality rate, indicating a more deadly outbreak.” He emphasized that the fatalities represent substantial personal losses, affecting families, spouses, parents, and healthcare workers.

He also pointed out the potential exacerbation of the situation as the rainy season intensifies.

Regarding the distribution of deaths, Lagos State recorded the highest number with 29 fatalities, followed by Rivers with eight, Abia and Delta with four each, and Katsina with three. Bayelsa reported two deaths, while Kano, Nasarawa, and Cross River each recorded one death.

Idris underscored, “This worrisome pattern underscores the urgent need for a coordinated response to prevent further escalation of the crisis.” He highlighted that sixteen states accounted for 90% of the confirmed cases, with Lagos serving as the epicenter. Lagos State has received significant attention and resources to effectively manage the outbreak given its high caseload.