Cholera has been ravaging the human population following its inception in the Ganges River Delta area of India in 1817. Since that moment, it continues to leave indelible marks on history with no signs of impending decline. Nigeria, as a third world country, has also had a fair share of this deadly communicable disease which started to ravage the lives of the people in the 1970s.
Yet again in 2024, the government has started raising concerns about what they have confirmed is another cholera outbreak. While reported cases have only been seen in Lagos and Ibadan, the economic and cultural hubs of the country respectively, there is a high possibility this might spread to other states and could potentially be another pandemic if proper care is not taken. To curtail the spread, health agencies in these states and even beyond have started sensitizing the people on how to stay free from this outbreak, precautions to adhere to and how to identify and treat suspected cases.
In Lagos, for instance, the outbreak has taken a dire turn with a 4.3% case fatality rate, number of suspected cases surging to 350 and the Laboratory confirmation of Cholera sub-type O-1 which is associated with more severe effects. It has rapidly spread across 29 wards and multiple local government areas and has raised concern regarding the city’s hygiene infrastructure particularly in urban slums where water access is limited. The numbers are concerning and could even be more, depending on how the people and health agencies in the state respond to the crisis.
Cholera outbreaks are caused by poor sanitation and hygiene conditions. As of 2022, the World Bank estimated that 70 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water and 114 million were without access to basic sanitation facilities in 2021. Between then and now, there is a possibility that the number has increased significantly looking at the living conditions of the people.
The implication is that many of the people would be unable to prevent the spread of the outbreak in the face of this reality. These people are left on the line to decide what they consume without monitoring and as the poverty level continues to surge, it becomes more difficult to curtail the spread of the disease. For instance, the recorded cases in Ibadan were discovered to be contracted in Lagos, indicating a possibility that the number might even be higher.
Moreso, this disease is easily contracted through use of public transportation. Usually, we have a lot of people who use the road for both intra and inter-state almost on a daily basis and this could even be dangerous at the moment. For many of these people it is impossible especially because their sustainability depends on doing this on a daily basis. Transporting food and drinks could also spread the bacteria. Unfortunately, the large purchase of goods from Lagos is almost inevitable and with Nigeria’s lack of quality control, it is very difficult to determine which is infected on a surface level and even if the government directs all products transported to go through inspection, there will be defaulters.
In Oyo state, the people even stand the risk of a higher outbream, given the limited access to borehole water. The reality for many of the residents is having to rely on well water for daily wants and some even go as far as drinking them and this situation is even worse for the lower-class citizens in the state. Lack of sufficient waste management facilities also puts them at higher risk since dirt is a fertile breeding ground for cholera.
With this outbreak, we could possibly predict that this could be a looming pandemic if governments across board are not doing the most in tackling this problem. While there is a need for individuals to adopt good hygiene practices and make adherence to the precautions already circulated a priority, the government needs to also ensure that they adopt different measures in tackling this crisis.The fundamentals leading to the outbreak needs to be resolved as soon as possible as a matter of fact. Access to adequate treatment is also another thing that must not be lacking in the fight because that could potentially lead to more death cases and the overall spread of the bacteria if proper care is not in place.
Finally, it’s also very important for the government to ensure the safety of health workers who are at the forefront of this outbreak. Unlike what was obtainable during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government needs to be deliberate about the wellbeing of these health workers. It also needs to invest resources in improving healthcare infrastructure and building effective sanitation facilities. Doing this will offer the needed support to address the root causes of the outbreak and prevent further spread.
By: Muyiwa Eniola
