The United Nations Children’s Fund has raised concerns over the alarming rise in cholera cases across West and Central Africa, identifying Nigeria as the second most affected country in the region.
UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, disclosed this on Wednesday, stating that the outbreak in Nigeria had become a persistent public health challenge.
“Cholera remains endemic in Nigeria, with the country experiencing recurrent major outbreaks in recent years,” he said.
He revealed that between January and June 2025, Nigeria documented 3,109 suspected cholera cases and 86 fatalities across 34 states, reinforcing its position as one of the hardest-hit countries in the region.
The cholera epidemic, according to Fagninou, is now threatening the lives of tens of thousands of children, particularly as the rainy season brings increased flooding and displacement.
“Some 80,000 children were estimated to be at high risk of cholera in West and Central Africa as the rainy season began across the region,” he noted.
The UN official attributed the rising threat to environmental and infrastructural vulnerabilities such as inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water, and poor hygiene conditions.
“Cholera was an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria. The disease can be treated with oral rehydration solution and antibiotics, but can be fatal within hours if untreated,” Fagninou explained.
He emphasized that younger children faced heightened risks due to their susceptibility to dehydration and exposure to unsanitary environments.
“Young children are particularly vulnerable to cholera due to factors such as poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation and access to safe water and a greater risk of severe dehydration.”
Fagninou further highlighted that the Democratic Republic of the Congo was currently bearing the brunt of the outbreak in the region, with over 38,000 cases and 951 deaths reported in July alone.
“Children under five years now account for nearly 26 per cent of cases in the DRC, and without stronger containment measures, they may face the worst cholera crisis since 2017,” he said.
Alongside Nigeria and the DRC, other countries grappling with active cholera outbreaks include Chad, the Republic of Congo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo.
Nations like Niger, Liberia, Benin, the Central African Republic, and Cameroon are also being closely monitored due to their high vulnerability.
Calling for urgent intervention, Fagninou urged the international community and health authorities to intensify efforts to curb the spread and reduce the deadly impact of the disease.
He outlined UNICEF’s ongoing support, which includes the distribution of critical health and sanitation supplies, deployment of treatment facilities, and vaccination drives in affected areas.
“The agency has also supported cholera vaccinations, scaled up preparedness and response efforts and encouraged families to seek timely treatment and improve their hygiene practices.”
Fagninou emphasized the urgency of the situation and UNICEF’s commitment to protecting children in the hardest-hit communities.
“We are in a race against time, working hand in hand with the authorities to deliver essential healthcare, safe water and proper nutrition to children already at risk of deadly diseases and severe acute malnutrition,” he stated.
He added that UNICEF’s collaborative efforts with partners aim to reach underserved regions and strengthen grassroots health education and disease prevention.
“Together with an array of partners, we are strengthening community engagement and extending our reach to remote and underserved areas, making every effort to ensure that no child is left behind,” Fagninou said.
To scale up its life-saving interventions, UNICEF West and Central Africa is urgently appealing for $20 million in funding over the next three months to expand operations in health, water and sanitation, risk communication, and community outreach.
