As Nigeria’s flood season intensifies, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a nationwide health alert over a rising threat of cholera, warning that contaminated water sources and displacement could worsen outbreaks across multiple states.
The agency said the alert follows impact-based weather forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, which identified Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe and several other states as facing heightened risk of flooding throughout July. “Floodwaters often contaminate our water sources by washing pathogens or germs from soil, animal waste, or overwhelmed sewage systems into rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water,” said Director General of NCDC, Jide Idris. “This contamination affects drinking water sources and creates ideal conditions for the spread of cholera.”
Nigeria is currently battling a rise in cholera infections. As of 29 June, 34 states have reported suspected cases, with Zamfara alone accounting for 32 percent. Other heavily affected states include Bayelsa, Adamawa, Delta, Lagos and Rivers. “Nigeria is already experiencing a rising incidence of cholera, while yellow fever and dengue fever are beginning to be detected in some states,” the NCDC noted.
The NCDC reported that as of April 28, 2025, over 1,141 suspected cholera cases and 30 deaths have been recorded across 30 Local Government Areas in nine states, with Bayelsa, Lagos, Abia, and Zamfara among the most affected. In a separate briefing, the agency said it is tracking 1,307 suspected cholera cases and 34 deaths across 30 states and 98 Local Government Areas, warning of a rising risk during the rainy season.
“Cholera is a potentially fatal disease that causes severe watery diarrhoea and rapid dehydration. It is transmitted through contaminated food or water and can kill within hours if not treated promptly,” the agency said. The risk of infection typically rises during the rainy season, when flooding worsens water and sanitation conditions in many communities.
The NCDC attributed the outbreak to poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and widespread open defecation. Dr. Jide Idris said that 134 Local Government Areas classified as hotspots have been prioritized for multisectoral intervention, including potential Rapid Response Team deployment. “Cholera has remained endemic in Nigeria, particularly in communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation,” he said.
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 LGAs are classified as being at moderate risk of flooding. The NCDC said it is working closely with state governments, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and development partners to strengthen disease surveillance, expand access to oral rehydration therapy, and promote hygiene education.
The agency outlined several prevention measures, including boiling and storing water in clean containers, practicing good hand hygiene, and avoiding raw or undercooked food. “Boiling water and using water purification tablets can significantly reduce the risk of infection,” Dr. Jide Idris said. “Cholera can be prevented through ensuring access to safe, potable drinking water; proper sanitation and waste disposal; and appropriate hygiene, including handwashing.”
The NCDC is also collaborating with state governments, health partners, and communities to boost disease surveillance, provide treatment materials, deploy rapid response teams, and engage in public sensitisation to limit the spread and impact of the diseases. “The situation demands heightened vigilance and intensified response efforts from all stakeholders,” the agency stated.
Alongside cholera, the NCDC flagged increased risks of yellow fever and dengue fever, both transmitted by mosquitoes that breed in stagnant floodwaters. Seven confirmed cases of yellow fever have been reported across six states: Abia, Anambra, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, and Rivers. “A single confirmed case of yellow fever is considered an outbreak. No deaths have been recorded to date,” the statement reads. An outbreak of dengue fever was also confirmed in Edo State between June 9 and 13.
“Preparedness is not defined by the absence of outbreaks, but by the capacity to anticipate risk, detect threats early, coordinate effectively across sectors and levels of government, and respond in a timely, equitable, and evidence-driven manner,” Jide Idris said.
