THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that Nigeria is among the countries experiencing a surge in cholera infections globally, with 1,227 cases.
According to the WHO’s latest data, between January and March 2025, Nigeria recorded 1,227 cholera cases and 28 deaths, ranking it among the most affected countries in the African region.
The ICIR reports that the latest WHO data is the first for 2025, following numerous cholera cases and deaths recorded across all Nigerian states in 2024.
In July 2024 alone, 63 deaths and 2,102 suspected cholera cases were reported across 33 of Nigeria’s 36 states.
The latest WHO situation report reveals that the African region has reported 66,689 cholera cases and 1,336 deaths across 17 countries, making it the hardest-hit region globally.
It showed that over 116,000 cases and more than 1,500 deaths were reported globally, with 32,985 new cases and 517 deaths reported in March alone,indicating a slight decrease from February.
“In March 2025 (epidemiological weeks 10 to 13), a total of 32,985 new cholera and/or acute watery diarrhoea cases were reported from 22 countries, territories, areas (hereafter countries) across three WHO regions, reflecting a nine per cent decrease from February.
Although the decline may reflect seasonal patterns, WHO warns that underreporting, especially in conflict-affected areas like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, likely means the true figures are much higher.
“The African region registered the highest number of cases, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean Region and the South-East Asia Region”, the report read.
South Sudan recorded the highest number of cases in the African region, with 29,050 infections and 502 deaths.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo follows with 15,785 cases and 297 deaths, while Angola has recorded 9,785 cases and 383 deaths.
WHO attributed the rise in cholera outbreaks to a combination of climate-related disasters, ongoing conflicts, poor sanitation, and weak healthcare systems, particularly in rural and flood-prone areas.
The ICIR reports that since January, 25 countries globally have reported outbreaks of cholera or acute watery diarrhoea, with many of these continuing from 2024.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues.