The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on Friday, said that Nigerians should expect a downward trend of Cholera cases in the country.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris disclosed this in Lagos on the sideline of an event to unveil the Integrated Disease Testing and Surveillance Laboratory in Lagos.
Idris, however, noted that more cases were being detected from other states with lower fatalities due to increased awareness on the outbreak of cholera in the country.
“We are recording lower fatality because of the ongoing awareness about the disease.
“We are recording lower fatalities which indicates that less people are dying from cholera.
“Overtime, with the increased awareness at the Federal, state and local government level, we expect a downward trend of cases in the next couple of weeks,” he said.
The NCDC, in its recent report said, 2,102 suspected cases of cholera and 63 deaths have been recorded across 33 States and 122 local government areas (LGAs) in the country.
Cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by the ingestion of the bacterium -Vibrio cholerae, in contaminated water and food.
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Symptoms may range from none to mild, to severe. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhoea lasting a few days. Vomiting and muscle cramps may also occur.
Diarrhea can be so severe that it leads within hours to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. This may result in sunken eyes, cold skin, decreased skin elasticity, and wrinkling of the hands and feet. Dehydration can cause the skin to turn bluish. Symptoms start two hours to five days after exposure.
NAN
