NCDC Issues National Alert on Potential Cholera Outbreak Amid Flood Warnings

Nigerian health authorities warn of multiple disease outbreaks as rainy season approaches

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health alert regarding a potential cholera outbreak across the country. This warning comes in the wake of the Federal Government’s 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, which has identified 30 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as high-risk areas for flooding.

Flood Risk and Disease Concerns

During a recent press briefing on the current status of national health security, NCDC Director General Dr. Jide Idris addressed the situation alongside ongoing outbreaks of several infectious diseases including Lassa fever, meningitis, and Mpox across the country.

“Cholera remains endemic in Nigeria, particularly in communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation,” Dr. Idris explained. “According to the 2025 flood forecast, over 1,200 communities in 176 Local Government Areas have been identified as high-risk flood zones, and an additional 2,187 communities in 293 Local Government Areas are classified as being at moderate risk of flooding.”

The connection between flooding and waterborne diseases like cholera is well-established, making this season particularly concerning for public health officials.

Coordinated National Response

The NCDC emphasized its commitment to leading a coordinated national response, working closely with state governments and partners to ensure timely support and regular updates on various diseases across the country.

“For each of these diseases, the appropriate comprehensive and multiple-tiered response strategy is currently in place, including key interventions,” stated Dr. Idris. “The activation of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) continues to provide both national and sub-national leadership through weekly review meetings with hotspot states, and National Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to hot spot states to strengthen the response capacity of health authorities.”

Current Disease Situation

While cholera concerns are mounting due to potential flooding, the NCDC also provided updates on other ongoing disease situations:

• Lassa Fever: Nigeria has recorded a steady decline in confirmed cases from 41 down to 10 in epidemiological week 17 (ending April 27, 2025). The number of deaths and case fatality rate have also decreased, with only three deaths reported recently.
• Mpox: From weeks 1 to 16 of 2025, a total of 723 suspected cases were reported across 35 states and the FCT. Of these, 136 were laboratory-confirmed cases spanning 27 states and the FCT.

Preparedness Measures

The NCDC has implemented several preventive and response measures:

• Essential medicines, intravenous fluids, personal protective equipment, laboratory consumables, and other necessary materials have been strategically distributed to states to ensure timely access during case surges.
• Healthcare workers are receiving targeted training in case management, including Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols and hands-on workshops focusing on lumber puncture and Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) care best practices.

“All these layered interventions aim to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to outbreaks, protect vulnerable populations, and reduce mortality,” Dr. Idris concluded.

The NCDC remains committed to its mandate of protecting public health through providing timely and transparent health information to all Nigerians.