NCDC warns of rising cholera, yellow fever, dengue, mpox, and diphtheria in Nigeria due to floods; learn how to protect your family and what the government is doing.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a serious public health warning. This alert, made on July 18, 2025, highlights a sharp rise in cases of several dangerous infectious diseases across the country. Cholera, yellow fever, dengue, mpox, and diphtheria are all seeing an increase, spreading rapidly across many states. The NCDC urges every Nigerian to be aware of this situation and take immediate action to protect themselves and their families. This national alert comes at a critical time, especially with the ongoing rainy season and its associated flood risks, which create fertile ground for these diseases to spread.
What the Alert Really Means
On July 18, 2025, the NCDC confirmed that several dangerous infections are on the rise in Nigeria. This surge directly follows heavy rains and widespread flooding observed in various parts of the country. The presence of stagnant water, combined with often unsafe sanitation conditions, is creating an environment where disease-causing agents can thrive and spread more easily.
Health officials are confirming new cases daily, indicating a worsening trend that requires urgent attention from individuals, communities, and all levels of government. This alert is a call for heightened vigilance and a coordinated response to prevent a full-scale public health emergency.
Diseases on the Rise and Their Spread
The NCDC’s warning covers a range of diseases, each posing distinct threats:
- Cholera: This is currently the most widespread concern. Suspected cases have been reported in as many as 34 states across Nigeria. Specifically, Zamfara State has accounted for a significant portion, nearly one-third, of all reported suspected cases. Other states heavily affected by the current cholera outbreak include Bayelsa, Adamawa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers. Cholera is a severe acute watery diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It can lead to rapid dehydration and death if not treated quickly.
- Yellow Fever: Confirmed cases of yellow fever have been identified in Abia, Anambra, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, and Rivers states. These outbreaks often overlap with areas experiencing flooding, as stagnant water bodies provide ideal breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the virus. Yellow fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease that can be very dangerous. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent it.
- Dengue: This viral infection is now specifically reported to be active in Edo State, with laboratory-confirmed cases. Dengue virus is also transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, the same carrier for yellow fever. This co-occurrence makes areas with mosquito infestations particularly vulnerable to both diseases, increasing the complexity of public health response. Dengue fever can range from a mild fever to a severe, life-threatening condition.
- Mpox (formerly Monkeypox): While perhaps receiving less public attention than the flood-related diseases, mpox cases are also increasing. Mpox is a viral disease that can cause a rash that may look like pimples or blisters, often accompanied by flu-like symptoms. It spreads through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with contaminated materials.
- Diphtheria: Cases of diphtheria are also on the rise, adding significant pressure to Nigeria's healthcare system. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the skin. It can lead to severe breathing difficulties, heart problems, nerve damage, and can be fatal if not treated promptly. It spreads easily from person to person through respiratory droplets.
Why Floods Make Things Worse
The current rainy season and the resulting floods play a critical role in the surge of these diseases:
- Contaminated Water Sources: Floodwaters often mix with sewage systems, latrines, and other waste, leading to the widespread contamination of drinking water supplies. This directly facilitates the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and diphtheria, as people consume unsafe water.
- Mosquito Breeding Grounds: Heavy rainfall and floodwaters create countless new stagnant water bodies, such as puddles, ditches, discarded tires, and containers. These become perfect breeding sites for mosquitoes, leading to a rapid increase in their population and, consequently, a higher risk of diseases like yellow fever and dengue.
- Displacement and Overcrowding: Flooding forces many individuals and families to leave their homes, often leading to displacement and living in temporary shelters or overcrowded conditions. Such environments make it extremely difficult to maintain proper hygiene, access clean water, and practice social distancing, thereby accelerating disease transmission.
- Disrupted Healthcare Access: Floodwaters can damage roads and infrastructure, making it difficult for people to reach health facilities and for medical supplies to reach affected communities. This disruption severely hampers disease surveillance, vaccination efforts, and timely treatment.
- Food Safety Concerns: Floods can contaminate food crops and storage facilities, further contributing to the spread of foodborne illnesses.
What NCDC and Government Are Doing
The NCDC, in collaboration with state and local authorities, as well as various health partners and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is working tirelessly to tackle this growing public health crisis:
- Vaccination Drives: Targeted vaccination campaigns are being intensified, especially for yellow fever, in high-risk areas to build community immunity and prevent further spread. The NCDC emphasizes that the yellow fever vaccine is safe, affordable, and provides lifelong protection.
- Active Surveillance and Rapid Response: Teams are actively tracking new cases and monitoring disease trends across the country. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are being deployed to affected states to investigate outbreaks, identify sources of infection, and implement control measures quickly.
- Medical Supplies and Logistics: Essential drugs, rehydration solutions, diagnostic kits, and medical equipment are being delivered to hospitals and health centers in the most affected states to ensure patients receive prompt and appropriate care.
- Public Awareness and Risk Communication: The NCDC is using multiple channels, including radio, television, community groups, and social media, to disseminate crucial prevention messages. These messages focus on hygiene practices, safe water handling, and symptoms to watch out for.
- Flood-Control Planning and Sanitation: The government is reinforcing calls for improved drainage systems, waste management, and safe water infrastructure development to mitigate future flood impacts and reduce disease risks. This includes advocating for sustainable environmental practices.
These combined efforts aim to contain the outbreaks and protect the health of Nigerians.
How You Can Protect Your Family
Every individual and household has a vital role to play in preventing the spread of these diseases. Here’s how you can protect yourself and your loved ones:
- Practice Excellent Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and clean, running water, especially after using the toilet, before preparing or eating food, and after contact with floodwaters. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Ensure Safe Drinking Water: Always boil your drinking water before consumption, or treat it with water purification tablets. Avoid drinking water from unsafe sources like boreholes or wells that may have been contaminated by floodwaters.
- Maintain Food Safety: Cook food thoroughly, especially meat and seafood. Store cooked food in covered containers and consume it promptly. Wash fruits and vegetables with clean, safe water before eating.
- Prevent Mosquito Breeding: Regularly empty and clean all water storage containers (buckets, drums) around your home. Remove standing water from flower pots, used tires, gutters, and any puddles in your compound. Discard unnecessary items that can collect water.
- Use Mosquito Protection: Sleep under insecticide-treated nets, especially at night. Use mosquito repellents on exposed skin, particularly during dusk and dawn when Aedes mosquitoes are most active.
- Get Vaccinated: Ensure you and your family are up-to-date on all routine vaccinations, especially the yellow fever vaccine, if you live in or are traveling to high-risk areas. If you are unsure about your vaccination status, consult a healthcare provider.
- Seek Immediate Medical Help: If you or a family member shows symptoms such as persistent high fever, severe watery diarrhea (especially with rice-water stools for cholera), skin rashes (like blisters or sores for mpox), yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice for yellow fever), severe headache, muscle and joint pain (dengue), or a thick grey-white coating in the throat and difficulty breathing (diphtheria), visit the nearest health centre or hospital without delay. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for recovery and preventing severe complications or death.
These simple, consistent steps can significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission in your household and community.
Role of Hospitals and Health Workers
Health workers across hospitals and clinics are on the front lines, working diligently to care for sick patients, manage cases, and prevent further spread. They are also leading vital vaccination campaigns, conducting active disease surveillance, and educating communities about prevention. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are actively supporting these efforts by providing essential vaccines, treatments, medical equipment, and logistical support to local health centers. This strong partnership between the NCDC, state health ministries, healthcare providers, and NGOs is critical for an effective and swift response. Your cooperation, by following their advice and guidelines, can make their challenging work more effective.
Why This Alert Is Serious
The rapid spread of infections like cholera, yellow fever, and diphtheria can quickly overwhelm healthcare facilities and lead to severe illness, lasting complications, or even death if not managed effectively. Overloaded hospitals can also impact the provision of care for other essential health services. Prompt and collective actions – from maintaining good hygiene and ensuring safe water, to widespread vaccination and effective flood control measures – are essential to break the chain of transmission. Ignoring these warnings could lead to a worsening public health situation, increased suffering, and preventable fatalities in affected communities.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe
Many states in Nigeria are currently experiencing a rise in cholera, yellow fever, dengue fever, diphtheria, and mpox. These increases are largely driven by floods, which lead to contaminated water and increased mosquito breeding. The NCDC and the government are actively responding through vaccination drives, surveillance, and public education. However, your individual and collective effort is vital. Simple habits – regular handwashing, purifying drinking water, protecting against mosquito bites, and ensuring vaccination – are powerful tools that can save lives. This flood season, let us act together. Families, neighbours, community leaders, and authorities working hand in hand can stop these outbreaks and keep Nigeria healthy.
Stay tuned to official NCDC updates and community health messages. Share this important information with your neighbours, friends, and family. If anyone exhibits symptoms such as high fever, severe diarrhoea, skin rash, or breathing difficulties, they must visit the nearest health centre or hospital immediately. Early medical care saves lives and helps control outbreaks.
Source: Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) - https://ncdc.gov.ng/