Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with cholera reflects a broader regional health crisis that demands immediate response, UNICEF officials revealed recently. With recurrent outbreaks becoming the norm rather than the exception, Nigeria has now recorded over three thousand suspected cholera cases and nearly ninety fatalities spanning more than 30 states as of June.
“Cholera remains endemic in Nigeria, with the country experiencing recurrent major outbreaks in recent years,” UNICEF’s Gilles Fagninou remarked while briefing on the regional epidemiological status.
Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal disease transmitted through consuming contaminated food or water, represents a significant threat to West and Central Africa, affecting especially vulnerable populations including children. The rainy season, bringing heavy rainfall and floods, exacerbates conditions that promote cholera spread, particularly through displacement and poor sanitary conditions.
In this context, UNICEF estimates that close to 80,000 children in the affected region face a high risk of infection. The situation in the DRC is of particular concern, with over 38,000 cases and close to 1,000 deaths recorded in July alone. Children under five years old constitute approximately 26 percent of cases there, underscoring their extreme vulnerability.
“Without stronger containment measures, children may face the worst cholera crisis since 2017,” Fagninou warned.
Other countries currently struggling with cholera outbreaks include Chad, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and the Republic of Congo, while Niger, Liberia, Benin, Central African Republic, and Cameroon are under active surveillance.
UNICEF’s response involves deploying health and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) supplies, supporting cholera vaccination campaigns, and enhancing community-level preparedness and education to curb transmission. “We are in a race against time,” the official emphasized, highlighting the vital need for adequate funding—$20 million over three months—to scale up operations.
The unfolding cholera epidemic in Nigeria and surrounding nations is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in managing waterborne diseases amid climatic and infrastructural vulnerabilities.