Incessant Rainfall, Flooding May Worsen Cholera Spread — Federal Government Warns
The Federal Government has warned that the increasing levels of flooding and continuous rainfall may exacerbate the spread of cholera in Nigeria.
This caution was issued by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumum, during a press conference on Thursday.
As of Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the cholera epidemic has resulted in 63 deaths and 2,102 suspected cases, according to Prof. Terlumum. These figures come in the wake of flash floods caused by persistent rainfalls across various states and the nation’s capital, Abuja.
Prof. Terlumum attributed the flooding incidents primarily to flash and urban floods, which result from high rainfall intensities over prolonged periods and poorly maintained, blocked drainage systems in urban areas.
“We are calling on states and local government councils to intensify and step up efforts to avert flood-related disasters in their domains as we approach the peak of the flooding season,” Terlumum stated.
He noted that several states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have already experienced significant flooding since April this year, leading to casualties, displacement of people, and loss of property.
Despite these incidents, there has been no release of water from any of the dams within and outside Nigeria, with reservoirs like Kainji and Jebba Dams on the River Niger still impounding water.
River flooding is expected to begin this month, potentially impacting states such as Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Adamawa, Benue, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Ondo, Ogun, Rivers, Taraba, and the FCT.
Prof. Terlumum advised states and local governments to clear blocked drainage systems and canals, relocate people living along waterways, and desilt river channels and canals to manage runoff water effectively.
On Tuesday, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Jide Idris, provided an update on the cholera outbreak, confirming 63 deaths and 2,102 suspected cases across 122 Local Government Areas in 33 states and the FCT.
He highlighted that about 90 percent of the cases were recorded in 10 states, seven of which are in the southern region, including Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Delta.
Idris attributed the outbreak to the ingestion of contaminated food and water, emphasizing the challenges posed by the widespread practice of open defecation.
However, he expressed confidence in the country’s capacity to curb further spread despite these challenges.
The NCDC has activated the National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate a robust response to the cholera cases, following a dynamic risk assessment by experts from relevant ministries, departments, agencies, stakeholders, and major partners.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently announced the re-emergence of cholera cases across Africa, East Asia, America, Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Data from WHO indicates that between January and May, approximately 195,000 cholera cases have been reported globally. Africa ranks as the region with the second-highest cholera cases, with 92,789 cases from 14 countries, and the highest number of cholera-related deaths, with 1,698 fatalities.
In light of these developments, the Federal Government urges all citizens to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of cholera, especially as the rainy season continues.
