WHO Raises Alarm Over Cholera Data Gaps as Nigeria Reports 1,562 Cases

The World Health Organization highlighted critical gaps in cholera surveillance in Nigeria, which reported 1,562 cases so far in 2025. Despite this alarming figure, the data may underrepresent the true extent of the outbreak. With warnings from experts about inadequate health infrastructure, the urgency for improved measures in response and prevention continues to grow amid rising fatalities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms about the severe inadequacies in cholera surveillance and reporting, particularly in Nigeria. As the country grapples with a worrying increase in suspected cases, the global surge in cholera cases further complicates the situation. According to data received from WHO, Nigeria reported 1,562 cholera cases between January 1 and May 25, 2025. This alarming statistic contributes to a total of 117,346 cases noted across 17 countries in the WHO African Region during the same time frame.

However, WHO has cautioned that these numbers could be misleading due to various factors. Underreporting, data submission delays, and limited diagnostic capabilities may mean the full scale of the outbreak is not reflected in current reports. The organization emphasized, “The data presented here should be interpreted cautiously due to potential underreporting and reporting delays.”

WHO’s statement highlights that differing surveillance systems, case definitions, and laboratory capacities among nations make it hard to compare statistics conveniently. Moreover, the global case fatality rate for cholera necessitates careful assessment as it strongly varies by country, affected methodologies in surveillance, and health infrastructure. Notably, between January 1 and May 25, a cumulative sum shows 211,678 cholera cases and 2,754 fatalities reported from 26 countries across three WHO regions, with Africa faring the worst.

Nigeria particularly experiences recurrent cholera outbreaks during the rainy season, severely exacerbated by insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, particularly evident in rural and conflict-impacted regions. The situation becomes critical when public health experts warn that if the country does not reinforce its surveillance and responsive systems, it may face a larger outbreak—with potentially more disastrous outcomes.

Further highlighting the urgent need for change, WHO reported that cholera-related deaths were mainly concentrated in the African Region, with 2,447 fatalities confirmed this year. Nigeria, too, reported 48 deaths linked to the cholera outbreak. The organization continues to advocate for immediate action in terms of improving prevention, early detection, and treatment access across the afflicted regions.

WHO’s report underscores significant challenges facing Nigeria in responding to the cholera outbreak, characterized by data gaps in surveillance and reporting. The country recorded over 1,500 cases already in 2025, part of a greater regional trend of increasing cholera cases. Urgent investments in public health infrastructure and robust response mechanisms are essential to mitigate the risk of escalating fatalities among affected populations.

Original Source: punchng.com