Death toll of cholera outbreak in Nigeria rises to 74

The agency said at least 74 persons have been reportedly killed by cholera in 30 states this year, adding that there are a total of 2,339 suspected cases of the infection as of May 29, 2022.

It listed the affected states as Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.

Provision of safe water and sanitation is critical to prevent and control the transmission of cholera and other waterborne diseases.

According to the World Health Organization, there are 1.3 to 4.0 million cases of cholera, and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths worldwide due to cholera. (ILKHA)