A total of 65 cholera cases have been confirmed in Nigeria with 30 deaths from 1 January to 11 June across 96 local governments in 30 states, says the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). This was revealed in a public health advisory published Thursday to alert the public of the case increase  in the country.

The NCDC reported 1,141 suspected cases recorded in 2024, with ten states accounting for 90% of the total cases. The states are Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos.

Cholera is a highly contagious disease transmitted through contaminated food or water, as well as poor sanitation and inadequate hand hygiene. Its symptoms include sudden onset of painless, severe watery diarrhea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and fever. Severe cases can lead to death within hours due to dehydration, but around 80% of people may experience mild symptoms or none at all. Early detection is crucial, as cholera is easily treatable with prompt administration of oral rehydration solution (ORS) to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes, along with appropriate antibiotics, according to the NCDC.

The best way to prevent cholera is by drinking safe water, avoiding raw food, using of clean water to cook and adapting to personal hygiene and water sanitation.