The Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, says Nigeria has recorded more than 65,000 suspected cholera cases across 35 states and about 195 local government areas.

Mr Idris said this in Abuja on Friday during a news conference, noting that cholera cases had declined substantially from the peak recorded earlier in the season.

He warned, however, that cholera transmission remained ongoing, particularly as Nigeria approached the period when cases could increase.

According to him, the rainy season and flooding could contaminate water sources and overwhelm sanitation systems, creating conditions for renewed cholera transmission.

“The proportion of reported cholera cases resulting in death is considerably lower than recorded during the same period last year,” he said.

Mr Idris attributed the improved outcomes partly to early access to treatment, noting that bringing treatment closer to affected communities had saved lives.

According to him, Borno had recorded the majority of this year’s cholera cases, with better outcomes observed where treatment services were closer to affected populations.

He warned that treatment alone could not end cholera, emphasising the need to address unsafe water, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene infrastructure.

“Open defecation, damaged water systems and poor sanitation in schools, markets and public institutions continue to expose communities to cholera risks.

“We need sustained investments in water, sanitation, hygiene, environmental health and community awareness to prevent repeated outbreaks,” he said.

Mr Idris said authorities were providing treatment, oral cholera vaccination, water chlorination, rehabilitation of water sources and hygiene promotion in affected communities.

“In Borno, response teams investigated transmission sources and assessed water supply points to identify gaps in water quality, sanitation and chlorination.

“In Bauchi, oral rehydration points were established, treatment capacity strengthened, and active case searches intensified in affected communities,” he said.

On diphtheria, he said Nigeria had recorded more than 10,000 confirmed cases during the year, with most concentrated in several states.

“Kano, Borno and Bauchi remain among the states reporting the highest burden of confirmed diphtheria cases.

“In spite of the substantial burden, the proportion of confirmed diphtheria cases resulting in death has declined considerably compared with last year.

“We identified inadequate vaccination coverage as a major concern, particularly among children who remain unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated.

“Vaccine hesitancy, insecurity, displacement, hard-to-reach communities and population movement continue to complicate efforts to reach eligible children,” he said.

He said diphtheria was vaccine-preventable and required intensified vaccination to protect children and interrupt transmission.

Mr Idris said the agency would continue to coordinate responses with state governments and partners while strengthening surveillance, laboratory capacity and case management.

“National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to affected states to support investigations, surveillance and outbreak response activities,” he said.

According to him, reactive vaccination is ongoing in affected areas, alongside the provision of essential treatment and laboratory commodities.

Mr Idris urged states and local governments to strengthen safe water, sanitation, routine immunisation and targeted vaccination, while directing resources to high-risk communities.

He said healthcare workers were advised to recognise cases early, report promptly, begin appropriate treatment and consistently follow infection prevention and control measures.

The NCDC boss urged Nigerians to use safe water, practise proper sanitation and handwashing, seek early treatment for watery diarrhoea and ensure children receive all recommended diphtheria vaccines.

(NAN)