The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a public health warning over the potential rise in cholera, yellow fever, and dengue fever cases, as weather forecasts predict flash floods in multiple states.
The alert, signed by NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris, follows recent projections by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, which identified states including Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Yobe among those at risk of flooding in July.
The statement read, “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.”
“This contamination affects drinking water sources and creates ideal conditions for the spread of cholera,” it added.
Between June 23 and 29, suspected cholera infections were reported across 34 states, with Zamfara State alone contributing 32 percent of the total cases.
Other highly affected states include Bayelsa, Adamawa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers.
The NCDC also highlighted a heightened threat of mosquito-borne diseases such as yellow fever and dengue fever, noting that stagnant water from floods provides fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
In Edo State, a confirmed outbreak of dengue fever occurred between June 9 and 13, with laboratory results confirming a rise in infections.
Moreover, seven cases of yellow fever have been verified in 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 NCDC noted.
In response to the threats, the agency said it is working closely with state authorities, health partners, and local communities to strengthen surveillance, distribute treatment supplies, deploy rapid response teams, and conduct public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing the spread and impact of these diseases.
Citizens were urged to adhere to hygiene measures such as regular handwashing, proper food and water safety, covering water storage containers, eliminating stagnant water in their surroundings, using insecticide-treated bed nets and repellents, and ensuring vaccinations are up to date.
“We urge all state governments to remain alert and intensify surveillance efforts to ensure timely detection and response to any of these diseases,” the agency advised.
