The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a warning about the surging number of yellow fever cases in the country, coinciding with the ongoing cholera outbreak that has affected nearly all states of the federation.
Dr Jide Idris, the Director-General of the NCDC, raised the alarm at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
He expressed concerns about underreporting due to inadequate surveillance resources and the political stigma associated with the disease. Additionally, he reported a troubling rise in yellow fever cases, especially, with the onset of the rainy season.
Relatedly, the cholera outbreak in Nigeria, has claimed a total of 103 lives out of the 3,623 cases recorded so far in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. This comes as the country is making frantic effort to curtail the further spread of the disease.
The NCDC which made the disclosure of the new casualty figure also, at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, noted that the figure cut across 187 local government areas, with a cumulative case fatality rate of 2.8 per cent since the beginning of the year.
According to the NCDC boss, the top six states contributing about 83 percent of infections are Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Ebonyi, Katsina and Zamfara.
On the Yellow fever, Idris said, “Three presumptive positive cases have been reported—two in Ekiti State and one in Bayelsa—along with one death. Yellow fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, presents symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, back pain, body aches, and jaundice,” he stated.
“Yellow fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, presents symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, back pain, body aches, and jaundice”.
He stressed the importance of vaccination as the most effective prevention method against yellow fever, offering lifelong immunity. He urged the public to ensure they are vaccinated, use mosquito repellents, wear protective clothing, and eliminate stagnant water to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
Dr. Idris highlighted the impact of heavy rainfall and flooding on the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and yellow fever.
“Floodwaters often carry pathogens from soil, animal waste, and sewage into water sources, compromising water quality and leading to disease outbreaks.
“Flooding also creates breeding conditions for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever,” he said.
He advised all the stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare workers, partners, and the public, to intensify efforts to combat these public health threats.
He emphasized the need for coordinated action to prevent further loss of life and ensure the health and well-being of all Nigerians.
