Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Abuja, Oct 23, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Cholera has claimed more than 1,500 people across parts of Nigeria this year, the United Nations revealed on Friday. The total number of cases of cholera outbreak that have been reported since the beginning of the year are close to three times the number of people contracting the disease in 2009, as per the United Nations Children’s Fund. It has been reported that although the total cases of cholera outbreak in Nigeria has plummeted over the last few months, new cases are emerging very other day.

Marixie Mercado, a spokesperson of UNICEF has said that Nigeria has already reported a whopping 38,173 cases of cholera which includes 1,555 deaths till October 20, which is the highest in the past few years. While talking to reporters in Geneva, the UNICEF spokesperson also added that the scenario of cholera outbreak in the African nation is gradually peaking and despite the outbreak being contained, new cases are being reported. Although the average death in Nigeria is 4.5 per cent, in states such as Plateau, Sokota and Gombe, it has escalated to more than 10 per cent. The reasons which has contributed to increment in the average death rate in the three states include extensive flooding and the fact that these are home to large number of displaced peoples.

World Health Organization spokeswoman Fadela Chaib has pointed out that the higher incidence of cholera results from factors such as flooding and poor hygiene conditions. At the same time, the WHO spokesperson also reiterated that population movement in the region also plays a pivotal role increasing the incidence of cholera.