NCDC warns of rising yellow fever cases amid cholera outbreak
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a warning about the increasing number of yellow fever cases in the country, coinciding with the ongoing cholera outbreak that has affected nearly all states.
This was announced by Jide Idris, the NCDC’s director-general, during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Mr Idris said that since June, the NCDC has been actively managing a cholera outbreak that has spread across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), impacting 187 local government areas (LGAs).
According to him, as of July 15, Nigeria has recorded 3,623 suspected cholera cases and 103 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 2.8 per cent.
He said there was a slight decline in reported cases and fatalities in the past week, attributing the improvement to ongoing national and state-level efforts.
The NCDC boss cautioned that the peak of the rainy season, which typically exacerbates cholera outbreaks, was still ahead.
Mr Idris said there were concerns about underreporting due to inadequate resources for surveillance and the political stigma associated with the disease.
He said the agency had also observed a troubling rise in yellow fever cases, particularly with the onset of the rainy season.
“Three presumptive positive cases have been reported, two in Ekiti State and one in Bayelsa, along with one death.
“Yellow fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, presents symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, back pain, body aches, and jaundice,” he explained.
Mr Idris highlighted the importance of vaccination as the most effective prevention method against yellow fever, offering lifelong immunity.
He urged the public to ensure that they were vaccinated, use mosquito repellents, wear protective clothing, and eliminate stagnant water to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
According to him, heavy rainfall and flooding significantly impact the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and yellow fever.
He said the NCDC had provided comprehensive guidelines to mitigate the impact of the diseases.
The director-general advised healthcare workers to use standard safety precautions and report suspected cholera cases promptly.
He urged state governments to prioritise access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Africa
UN special agent briefs Security Council on insecurity in Nigeria
On Tuesday, Leonardo Simão briefed the Security Council on political and security developments in Nigeria, West Africa, and the Sahel.
Health
45% of dementia risk preventable, says WHO
WHO released updated guidelines to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia through evidence-based interventions across the life course.
NationWide
Nigeria sets December 2028 for final analogue TV switch-off
The Nigerian government has fixed December 2028 as the deadline for the final transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting.
Economy
Local Content: Shell awards $518 million contracts to indigenous firms
Shell awarded contracts worth $518 million to indigenous companies in 2025, reinforcing its commitment to growing Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry.
Heading 3
Free TV to reach 40 million Nigerian households with 100 channels: Broadcasting Commission
The Digital Switch Over project targets at least 40 million television households, offering up to 100 free channels nationwide, says the NBC.
Education
NYSC chief urges employers to prioritise corps members’ welfare
The director-general of the National Youth Service Corps, Olakunle Nafiu, has called on employers of corps members in Anambra to prioritise their welfare.
