The Nigerian government, WHO and partners are working together to strengthen cholera preparedness. Learn about the new initiative, case numbers, and how to protect yourself.
NCDC, WHO & partners boost cholera preparedness in Nigeria — key actions, case updates, and what you need to know.
In a quick response to a new rise in cholera cases during the 2025 rainy season, the Nigerian government is now working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners. They have started a new plan to make sure our country is ready to prevent and respond to the disease.
The main goal of this new effort is to train health workers to improve early detection, reporting, and treatment of cholera. This partnership is a big step towards keeping our communities safe, especially with the current rainy season and flooding in different parts of Nigeria.
Why Is Cholera a Problem in Nigeria Now?
Cholera is a serious disease that spreads very fast. It is caused by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated with bacteria. This disease is a big problem in Nigeria, especially during the rainy season when floods can mix clean water with dirty water. This makes it easy for the cholera bacteria to spread. The outbreaks are concentrated in flood-affected and displaced communities.
This is why the government and its partners have decided to act now, to stop the disease from spreading widely and becoming a big problem across the whole country.
The NCDC and WHO's New Training Initiative
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have come together to start a new training program. They are not working alone. They are in collaboration with other important partners like UNICEF, WaterAid, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
This training is for over 150 frontline health workers from all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The training will give them the skills to improve early detection, reporting, and treatment of cholera. A Disease Surveillance Officer from Bauchi State, Yushau Muktari, said that he now feels "better equipped to detect cholera symptoms early and take immediate action" after the training.
How This Training Helps Our Communities
This training is not just for big cities. To ensure impact at the community level, state governments have cascaded these trainings to high-risk areas. For example, in Bauchi State, 40 community-level health workers in 12 high-burden local government areas (LGAs) have received this targeted training with the support of WaterAid.
This means that the training is going down to the community level where it is needed the most. When a community health worker is trained, they can quickly identify cholera symptoms and start treatment. This quick action can save a person's life and help to enhance local response capacity.
The Numbers: How Many Cases and Deaths So Far?
As of 28 July 2025, Nigeria has recorded a total of 4,700 cholera cases. Sadly, there have been 113 deaths from the disease, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 2.4%. This means that for every 100 people who get the disease, about 2 or 3 of them die. The outbreaks are mostly happening in places that are affected by floods and where people have been displaced from their homes. These numbers show why the NCDC and WHO must act very fast to bring the situation under control and save lives.
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What Is the Government and WHO Doing?
Dr. Jide Idris, who is the Director General of the NCDC, said that the government is not just waiting for outbreaks to happen before they respond. He said they are "building systems to prevent the next one". He said that with the help of WHO and other donors, Nigeria will be able to prepare for and respond to cholera more effectively.
This shows that the government is taking a long-term approach to solving the problem, and not just putting a quick fix on it. They are working to build a strong system that will protect Nigerians for a long time.
WHO's Specific Support for Nigeria
The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing a lot of support to Nigeria. This support is helping the country to fight the disease on many different levels. WHO's support includes:
* Pre-positioning cholera kits.
* Strengthening surveillance systems.
* Deploying rapid response teams.
* Providing technical support in Zamfara, Adamawa, and Niger states.
* Donating 7 cholera test kits and medical supplies for 200 patients.
* Supplying 10,000 sachets of oral rehydration salts for community treatment.
This shows how much WHO is committed to helping Nigeria defeat the disease. Ann Fortin, who is WHO’s Emergency Preparedness Response Lead in Nigeria, said that "every cholera death is preventable" and that we must act faster to save lives.
A Long-Term Plan to End Cholera in Nigeria
The government and its partners are not just focused on the problem of today. They are also thinking about the future. They are working on a long-term plan to end cholera completely by the year 2030. This is part of a global plan called the "Global Roadmap to End Cholera." To achieve this goal, they need to do more than just treat the sickness.
They must invest in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), strengthen primary healthcare, and secure political and financial commitment. This will help Nigeria to be free from cholera for good.
How Climate Change Makes This Worse
One of the biggest problems we face now is climate change. It makes the risk of widespread cholera outbreaks very real. Dr. Alex Gasasira, the Acting WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, said that climate shocks intensify, which can make these outbreaks worse.
This is why the support from partners like the Government of Japan is very important. It helps Nigeria to be in a better position to protect its most vulnerable people from the effects of both climate change and disease.
FAQs: Your Questions on Cholera in Nigeria Answered
What is cholera?
Cholera is a serious disease that causes severe watery diarrhea. It is caused by drinking water or eating food that is contaminated with a bacteria called Vibrio cholerae. It spreads very fast in places with poor sanitation.
How can I protect my family from cholera?
The best way to protect your family is to always drink clean, safe water. You should also wash your hands often with soap and clean water, especially before eating and after using the toilet. Make sure your food is well-cooked and stored safely.
What are the main symptoms of cholera?
The main symptom is a sudden onset of severe, watery diarrhea. Other symptoms can include vomiting, and feeling very weak. If you or someone you know has these symptoms, you must go to the nearest health center immediately.
Why is there a surge in cholera cases now?
The surge in cases is happening because of the rainy season and flooding. Floods can contaminate drinking water and make it easy for the disease to spread, especially in communities that are displaced.
What is the NCDC doing to help?
The NCDC is working with WHO and other partners to train health workers, strengthen surveillance, and provide supplies to different states. This is to help with early detection and treatment of the disease.
Is cholera deadly?
Cholera can be deadly if not treated on time. However, with proper treatment like rehydration (giving the person enough water and salts), most people can get well. That is why early detection and quick treatment are very important.
A Call to Action for a Healthier Nigeria
The effort by the Nigerian government, WHO, and other partners to strengthen cholera preparedness is a very big and important step. The goal is to make sure that every Nigerian is protected from this deadly disease.
By training health workers and providing them with supplies, they are building a strong system that will not only respond to the current outbreak but also prevent future ones. As citizens, we must also play our part by keeping our environment clean and practicing good hygiene. Together, we can work towards a healthier and safer Nigeria for everyone.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian government