NGO raises alarm over spread of cholera in Nigeria

Cochrane Nigeria has expressed concern over the continued spread of cholera across the country, despite the existence of proven preventive and control measures.

Speaking at a media roundtable held yesterday at the Institute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention in Calabar, the Director of Cochrane Nigeria, Professor Angela Oyo-Ita, identified lack of access to clean water and low public awareness as the main drivers of recurrent outbreaks.

“Safe water is the number one prevention against diseases. Any government that provides clean water for its people has done a great job. Then comes vaccines. You can’t do without water,” Oyo-Ita, who is also a Professor of Community Medicine and Chief Consultant in Public Health at the University of Calabar, said.

She stressed that cholera remains a major public health threat in Nigeria, particularly in communities grappling with poor sanitation and seasonal flooding. Oyo-Ita urged journalists to play a more active role in sensitizing the public, warning against sensational headlines that could erode trust in health authorities.

“This roundtable is aimed at helping journalists understand the science of cholera so they can report it responsibly. Accurate and timely reporting can help reduce the spread of the disease,” she added.

Delivering a lecture titled “An Overview of Cholera,” a pediatric gastroenterologist at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ekong Udoh, said cholera is endemic in Nigeria, with outbreaks occurring regularly, especially in the northern region.

According to him, between 2021 and 2024, Nigeria recorded over 140,000 suspected cases and 4,364 deaths. In 2024 alone, there were 4,809 suspected cases and 156 deaths.

Udoh explained that the disease is spread through contaminated water sources and poor hygiene practices, noting that climate change and flooding are worsening the situation by contaminating drinking water supplies.

He described cholera symptoms as including acute watery diarrhoea, intense thirst, muscle cramps, and severe dehydration, which can lead to kidney failure, coma, and even death if untreated. Alarmingly, about 75 percent of infected people show no symptoms but continue to spread the bacteria for up to two weeks.

While stressing that clean water and sanitation remain the most effective long-term solutions, Dr. Udoh highlighted the role of vaccination in controlling outbreaks. He said the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) as part of a comprehensive strategy, particularly in endemic regions and during emergencies.

“Vaccines are not a replacement for clean water and sanitation, but they are an important line of defence. In places where cholera is common, or during outbreaks, mass vaccination campaigns should be carried out to protect vulnerable populations,” he said.

He called for a multi-sectoral response that includes provision of clean water, improved sanitation, proper food handling, personal hygiene, and boiling water before drinking.

Both speakers underscored the need for stronger political will and sustained public health education to curb cholera’s spread in Nigeria.

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