The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has said cholera is preventable and treatable, adding that nobody should die of the bacterial disease.
This was said by the National Incident Manager for Cholera, NCDC, Muntari Hassan, in an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday.
Hassan reported that 54 people have died from the outbreak, with 1,579 cases reported across 32 states and 115 local government areas.
He said, “Nigeria is a cholera endemic country the NCDC as a matter of urgency is conducting a dynamic risk assessment.”
Hassan stressed on the importance of a coordinated response structure for managing epidemics, not just cholera.
He said the NCDC’s Director General, Jide Idris, had inaugurated an emergency operation center and appointed an incident manager to oversee the response.
This center, according to him, brings together multiple agencies, including federal ministries and partners like UNICEF, ensuring a multi-sectoral response.
Speaking on the underlying issues, Hassan stated, “Cholera remains a significant problem in Nigeria because the factors that cause it still exist,” such as inadequate water sanitation and hygiene practices.
He stressed the need for intensified surveillance, laboratory confirmation, and well-equipped cholera treatment centres.
Hassan noted that efforts are being made by various federal ministries, particularly the Ministry of Water Resources, to combat cholera, adding that individual responsibility is crucial.
“We don’t need money to wash our hands,” he said.
Hassan underscored the importance of sanitation, explaining that even with access to potable water, poor sanitation can still lead to contamination.
Hassan expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to address the cholera issue, emphasising that cholera is treatable and preventable, and ideally, “nobody should die of cholera.”
He, however, advised Nigerians to take personal responsibility for hygiene and to ensure safe drinking water, urging for increased investment at both federal and state levels.

Alleluia is the Assistant Editor and Content Writer at LagosPost.ng. She is a prolific writer and editor, she has written features and news stories on Lifestyle, Sports, Business, Politics and B2B marketing. She is also an event coordinator, host and social media content creator.