Cholera treatable, nobody should die of Cholera — NCDC

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said the cholera crisis in Nigeria is preventable and treatable, adding that nobody should die of cholera.

The National Incident Manager for Cholera at the NCDC, Muntari Hassan stated this in an interview on Arise Television.

Hassan reported that 54 people have died from the outbreak, with 1,579 cases reported across 32 states and 115 local government areas.

He said, “Nigeria is a cholera endemic country the NCDC as a matter of urgency is conducting a dynamic risk assessment.”

Hassan stressed on the importance of a coordinated response structure for managing epidemics, not just cholera.

He said the NCDC’s Director General, Jide Idris, had inaugurated an emergency operation center and appointed an incident manager to oversee the response.

This center, according to him, brings together multiple agencies, including federal ministries and partners like UNICEF, ensuring a multi-sectoral response.

Speaking on the underlying issues, Hassan stated, “Cholera remains a significant problem in Nigeria because the factors that cause it still exist,” such as inadequate water sanitation and hygiene practices.

He stressed the need for intensified surveillance, laboratory confirmation, and well-equipped cholera treatment centers.

Hassan noted that efforts are being made by various federal ministries, particularly the Ministry of Water Resources, to combat cholera.

He noted that individual responsibility is crucial, urging Nigerians to practice good hygiene and ensure their drinking water is safe.

“We don’t need money to wash our hands,” he said.

Recall that the states currently most affected by the outbreak are Abia, Lagos, and Bayelsa.

Hassan underscored the importance of sanitation, explaining that even with access to potable water, poor sanitation can still lead to contamination.

Hassan expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to address the cholera issue, emphasising that cholera is treatable and preventable, and ideally, “nobody should die of cholera.”

He, however, advised Nigerians to take personal responsibility for hygiene and to ensure safe drinking water, urging for increased investment at both federal and state levels.