The cholera outbreak in Nigeria has become more severe, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control confirming that the disease has now spread to 33 states and resulted in 63 deaths.

At a press conference in Abuja, the NCDC’s Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, highlighted that the number of cases has increased compared to the previous report on June 24, which indicated that the epidemic was limited to 31 states and 107 local government areas (LGAs) with 54 deaths.

Dr. Idris noted that 10 states—Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Delta—account for about 90 percent of the cases recorded so far.

To address the outbreak, the National Cholera Multisectoral Emergency Operation Centre has been activated and experts have been engaged to provide strategic coordination and daily situation reports for stakeholders.

“This has ensured effective mobilisation, harmonisation and distribution of resources to support the affected states,” said Dr. Idris.

The response efforts include coordination, surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication, community engagement, water sanitation and hygiene, vaccination, logistics, and research.

Dr. Idris expressed optimism that these measures would help facilitate rapid communication, data analysis, decision-making, proper deployment of resources, enhanced treatment, and intensified public awareness and community engagement.

Prior to the activation of the EOC, the NCDC, through the National Cholera Technical Working Group, had assessed cholera readiness and preparedness capacity in 22 hotspot and high-burden states, identifying gaps and reporting them to the states to guide their preparedness activities.

Dr. Idris called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, partners, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and citizens, to redouble their efforts to contain the spread of cholera and prevent further loss of life.

He also reminded health workers to practice standard safety precautions, such as wearing gloves while handling patients, and to intensify surveillance efforts to promptly report suspected cholera cases.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has urged federal and state governments to implement measures to contain the cholera outbreak.

They mandated the Committee on Healthcare Services to liaise with relevant stakeholders in the health sector to investigate the cause of the outbreak and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.

The House also instructed its Committees on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values to educate citizens on the importance of maintaining personal hygiene.

The motion was led by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, who expressed concern over the rapid spread of cholera and the reported shortage of vaccines.

“There is an urgent need for quick action/intervention by the federal and respective state governments to curb the disease from further spread across the country,” Chinda said. He warned that without urgent measures, the outbreak could escalate further, posing a serious threat to public health.