By Blessing Okola
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory warning of a significant surge in cholera cases across the country as the rainy season intensifies urging Nigerians to prioritize good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of the diseases.
The Director General, NCDC, Jide Idris made this disclosure at a press briefing over the weekend, emphasizing that hand hygiene is crucial in reducing the transmission of infections.
The NCDC Boss attributes the outbreak to poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and widespread open defecation.
He said the agency is working closely with state governments, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and development partners to strengthen surveillance, improve access to oral rehydration therapy, and promote hygiene education.
According to him, the NCDC is leading the national response to the cholera outbreak, working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) practices. Vaccination campaigns are also underway in high-burden areas for diseases like Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), he said.
Idris emphasizes that public health is a shared responsibility, urging Nigerians, health workers to support risk communication and community engagement efforts. By working together, we can reduce the spread of cholera and other diseases.
“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) remains steadfast in its mandate to protect public health by providing timely, transparent, and accurate health information. In line with this commitment and our continued efforts to equip Nigerians with the knowledge and tools needed to understand and prevent disease outbreaks, we have convened this press briefing to provide an update on the current national situation regarding three major diseases: Lassa fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), and advise on Cholera”.
“The NCDC, in collaboration with State Health Authorities and Partners, continues to monitor these diseases through national surveillance platforms while proactively supporting affected states with timely interventions”, he added.
