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The disease has spread across 43 regions in 12 Nigerian states.
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) reported Tuesday that 79 people have died from cholera disease in the country so far this year.
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According to the NCDC, states most affected by the disease include Abia, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi and Kano, in addition to Katsina, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Sokoto and Zamfara.
The agency reported a total of 1 336 suspected cases of cholera, which has spread across 43 regions in 12 Niger states since the beginning of the year.
Amid the current outbreak in the West African country, the National Multi-Sectoral Technical Group has been activated to oversee the states' response to the disease.
"I travel about 15km to come here to get water," says Emeka Odo of Enugu state in South East Nigeria.
— IFRC Africa (@IFRCAfrica) April 18, 2023
Acute water shortage adds to the recurring spread of Cholera in the country.@IFRC is supporting @nrcs_ng to deliver WASH support to communities with poor access to water. pic.twitter.com/JI6oWATEzY
The institution calls on the population to consume safe drinking water and maintain proper hygiene measures to prevent acute diarrheal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
The disease can be contracted by ingesting contaminated food and water. If left untreated, it can be fatal. Treatment includes rehydration, intravenous therapy, and the use of antibiotics.
Nigeria experiences outbreaks of this endemic disease every year, mainly during the rainy season. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an exponential increase in the number of cholera cases on the African continent.
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