Nigeria is facing a sweeping health emergency as outbreaks of multiple infectious diseases surge across the country, prompting urgent calls for action from the Federal Government.
In a public health alert released on Friday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) sounded the alarm over a rising tide of cholera, dengue fever, yellow fever, Mpox, and diphtheria.
The agency warned that without immediate and coordinated intervention, the nation could face serious consequences.
“The situation demands heightened vigilance and intensified response efforts from all stakeholders,” the NCDC declared on its official website.
Cholera Spreads to 34 States
Cholera, a waterborne bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration, is currently the most widespread of the outbreaks.
According to data from epidemiological week 26 (June 23–29), suspected cholera cases have been reported in 34 of Nigeria’s 36 states. Zamfara State alone accounts for 32% of the national caseload.
Other states with reported cholera cases include Bayelsa, Adamawa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers.
The NCDC has linked the outbreak to poor sanitation, unsafe water sources, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
The NCDC also confirmed a dengue fever outbreak in Edo State between June 9 and 13, following laboratory investigations.
Like yellow fever, dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, and both are worsened by Nigeria’s ongoing sanitation and climate challenges.
Yellow fever, which can cause jaundice and organ failure, has been confirmed in at least six states: Abia, Anambra, Edo, Ekiti,
Lagos, and Rivers. Seven cases have been officially verified, with the NCDC reiterating the importance of vaccination as the primary defense.
READ ALSO: NCDC Warns of Disease Surge as Floods Trigger Cholera, Yellow Fever, Dengue
“The yellow fever vaccine remains the most effective prevention strategy,” the agency emphasized.
While cholera and mosquito-borne diseases dominate the headlines, Mpox and diphtheria continue to pose serious risks.
Mpox presents with fever, rash, and lymph node swelling, while diphtheria, a respiratory disease, can lead to severe throat infections and breathing complications.
The NCDC stressed that early diagnosis is critical, particularly since diseases like dengue and yellow fever often mimic malaria in their early stages.
In its advisory, the NCDC urged Nigerians to take immediate preventive measures:
Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds
Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets
Use mosquito repellents
Maintain proper hygiene
Avoid self-medication
The agency’s warning serves as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s vulnerability to public health crises, especially during the rainy season when disease transmission rates typically rise.
As outbreaks escalate, health authorities are calling for stronger coordination between state governments, healthcare workers, and citizens to curb the spread and save lives.