Cholera in Nigeria: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Response - A Review

Cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae remains endemic and recurrent in Nigeria resulting in morbidity and mortality on annual basis. Vibrio cholerae O1 and non-O1/O139 are reported causative agents of the disease outbreak in Nigeria and some of these strains circulating the country acquired multidrug resistance potential. Several factors including socioeconomic and environmental among other factors drive this trend. Some regions in the country have been identified as hot spots most especially the north where insurgency has exacerbated outbreaks and management/control difficult. Surveillance and response to cholera outbreaks has been suboptimal which in turn has always increased the number of fatalities. Coordinated and harmonized approach involving all needed components (education, WASH, vaccination, surveillance, human capacity building and strengthening capacity of laboratories) has been advocated as a viable option to tackle the scourge.