- State govt doing the needful, no case hidden
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has disclosed that Nigeria has recorded more than 65,000 suspected cases of cholera this year across 35 states and approximately 195 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, however, said Enugu State stands alone as the only state in the country yet to report a case of cholera this year, attributing the development to the proactive measures being taken by the state government.
The NCDC boss also raised concerns over the response to disease outbreaks in some parts of the country, saying the actions or lack of adequate response by some states were contributing to poor outbreak management.
He stressed that effective disease control required states to take ownership of public health emergencies and respond promptly once cases were detected.
Speaking specifically on Enugu, Idris dismissed any suggestion that the absence of reported cholera cases could be due to concealment, stressing that the state government had been taking deliberate steps to prevent an outbreak.
“Enugu is the only state that has not reported cholera this year. It’s not that they are hiding the case, but the government is seriously proactive,” Idris said.
The NCDC boss said he had visited Enugu State more than once and held discussions with the Commissioner for Health as well as the Governor, adding that his interactions with the state authorities and evidences on ground confirmed that the government was actively doing what was necessary to prevent cholera.
“I have visited the state more than once. I have had a extensive discussions with the Commissioner and Governor. I can confirmed that the government of Enugu is serious minded one, and active in doing the needful,” he said.
Idris explained that cholera was not exclusively a seasonal disease, noting that it could occur throughout the year but usually recorded increased transmission during the rainy season. “Cholera is an all-year-round disease, but it peaks during the rainy season,” he said.
He noted that Enugu’s ability to remain without a reported case despite the peak period of the rainy season was particularly significant, given the heightened risk of cholera transmission associated with contaminated water and poor sanitation.
The latest figures highlight the scale of the cholera challenge facing the country, with more than 65,000 suspected cases reported across 35 states and approximately 195 LGAs.
The NCDC Director-General’s comments also brought renewed attention to the role of state governments in disease surveillance and outbreak response, particularly as public health emergencies require coordinated action between federal, state and local authorities.
He said states needed to strengthen their surveillance systems, improve preparedness and ensure that suspected cases were identified and responded to promptly.
According to him, weaknesses in state-level response mechanisms can undermine efforts to contain infectious diseases and prevent outbreaks from spreading to other communities.
Against this backdrop, Enugu’s experience provides a contrast, with the state recording no reported cholera case despite the ongoing rainy season and the wider spread of the disease across the country.
NCDC, however, explained that Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae. It can spread rapidly in communities where access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities is inadequate.
NCDC said it has continued to encourage states to strengthen disease surveillance and response mechanisms, improve access to safe water and sanitation, and promote good hygiene practices as key measures for preventing cholera outbreaks.
The agency also emphasised the importance of early detection and prompt treatment of suspected cases to reduce deaths and prevent further transmission.
With more than 65,000 suspected cases recorded across 35 states and approximately 195 LGAs this year, Idris said stronger commitment by state governments remained critical to improving Nigeria’s capacity to prevent and respond effectively to disease outbreaks.
(The Sun)