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.

Health officials are warning about a new case of ringworm likely spread through sexual contact, reported in New York City—the first such case in the U.S.

Fox News reports that the infection, caused by a rare fungus called trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), was detected in a man in his 30s. He had engaged in sexual activity with multiple men during trips to England, Greece, and California, according to a study published in JAMA Dermatology by doctors at NYU Langone Health.

The report noted that the man developed a red, itchy rash on his penis, legs, groin, and buttocks upon returning from his trip. The rash resembled eczema rather than the typical ringworm infection, which forms in circles.

Tests confirmed the presence of the fungus, and doctors prescribed standard antifungal oral medications. However, it took four and a half months for the infection to clear. The man initially took fluconazole for four weeks without improvement, then terbinafine for six weeks, and finally itraconazole for eight weeks.

Doctors found no other infections that could have worsened his condition. Dr. Avrom Caplan, an assistant professor of dermatology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and author of the report, told NBC there is no need for public alarm. “There’s no evidence that this is widespread or that people need to be worried,” Caplan said. “But if people are experiencing itchy eruptions in the groin area that aren’t improving, they should see a doctor.”

John Zampella, co-author of the study, urged physicians to help identify the fungus. “Physicians need to directly ask patients about rashes around the groin and buttocks, especially those who are sexually active, have traveled recently, and report itchy areas elsewhere on the body,” Zampella said.

Fox News also reports that the man’s case is the first in the U.S., following 13 similar cases reported in France last year, with twelve of those patients being men who had sex with men. The man noted that none of his partners reported similar skin issues.

Caplan suggested that the infection was likely transmitted through sexual contact but could not rule out the possibility that the man contracted the fungus at a sauna he visited two months before his symptoms appeared.

The study indicates an increase in male genital fungi in India, consistent with the emergence of a slightly different ringworm form called trichophyton indotineae. Climate, hygiene, bathing practices, and sexual contact likely contribute to the spread of this fungus, which causes itchy and contagious rashes similar to TMVII and often resists terbinafine treatment.