NCDC Issues Nationwide Health Alert on Cholera, Yellow Fever, and Dengue Fever -

NCDC Issues Nationwide Health Alert on Cholera, Yellow Fever, and Dengue Fever

Director-General of NCDC, Jide Idris

NCDC Issues Nationwide Health Alert on Cholera, Yellow Fever, and Dengue Fever

As Nigeria’s flood season intensifies, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a nationwide health alert on the rising threat of cholera, yellow fever, and dengue fever, especially in states already experiencing heavy rainfall and flooding.

The alert follows a recent impact-based weather forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which identified several states — including Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Yobe — as high-risk flood zones throughout July.

In a statement signed by NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, the agency warned that widespread flooding could worsen the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases due to contaminated water sources and increased mosquito breeding.

Flooding Fuels Disease Outbreaks

According to the NCDC, floodwaters often contaminate drinking water supplies with faecal matter and other pathogens, leading to outbreaks of cholera. Meanwhile, stagnant pools of water provide ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes that transmit yellow fever, dengue fever, and malaria.

Cholera Outbreak Worsens Across States

As of June 29, 34 states have reported suspected cholera cases. Zamfara alone accounts for 32% of these cases, followed by Bayelsa, Adamawa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers.

Cholera, a severe diarrhoeal illness caused by ingesting contaminated food or water, can lead to death within hours if untreated. The risk of outbreaks is heightened during Nigeria’s rainy season when sanitation and access to clean water deteriorate.

Yellow Fever and Dengue Confirmed in Multiple States

The NCDC also confirmed yellow fever outbreaks in Abia, Anambra, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, and Rivers. Though no fatalities have been reported, the agency stressed that a single confirmed case qualifies as an outbreak per national health policy.

Vaccination remains the most effective prevention method for yellow fever. In collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the NCDC is supporting affected states with immunisation campaigns and laboratory testing.

In Edo State, a dengue fever outbreak was confirmed between June 9 and 13. Dengue fever symptoms include high fever, headache, sore throat, and joint pain—similar to malaria—making early detection critical.

NCDC’s Public Health Recommendations

To mitigate further outbreaks, the NCDC outlined several prevention measures:

Eliminate stagnant water around homes
Cover water storage containers
Use mosquito nets and repellents
Get vaccinated against yellow fever
Practice hand hygiene and avoid open defecation
Seek prompt medical care for fever or diarrhoea

Health workers are urged to report all suspected cases of dengue and yellow fever, as these are notifiable diseases under Nigerian law.

The agency added that self-medication should be avoided, as symptoms of mosquito-borne diseases may closely mimic malaria and delay appropriate treatment.