Cholera – Nigeria
- September 1, 2021
- < 1 min read
A Cholera outbreak in 23 of Nigeria’s states has led to 2,035 deaths and 58,698 since January. Nigeria is prone to annual cholera outbreaks due to poor water sanitation.
The cases are a result of poor water sanitation according to the Minister of Environment. The WHO describes the disease as "acute diarrhoeal infection caused by eating or drinking food or water contaminated".
2.035 infected patients and 58,698 deaths in 23 states. The most cases were located in Bauchi State. The most affected age group is 5-14 years old.
The government is calling for better hygiene practies.
Photo: Vibrio tasmaniensis bacteria, a close relative of Vibrio cholerae.
Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe. The main risk is severe dehydration, this happens sometimes within hours.
It is spread mostly by unsafe water and unsafe food that has been contaminated with human feces containing the bacteria. Under-cooked seafood is a common source.
Risk factors for the disease include poor sanitation, not enough clean drinking water, and poverty.
Cholera affects an estimated 3–5 million people worldwide and causes 28.800–130.000 deaths a year. Areas with ongoing risk include Africa and South East Asia, where it occurs in outbreaks.
Descriptions of cholera are found as early as the 5th century BC in Sanskrit.
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