By Milcah Tanimu
In response to a severe cholera outbreak, the Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated discussions with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) to secure emergency supplies of oral cholera vaccines (OCV). This comes as the country battles the disease amidst a global vaccine shortage.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), announced that Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, is leading these negotiations. The NCDC recently reported an increase in the death toll and spread of cholera, now affecting 32 states and 115 local government areas.
Nigeria currently uses three World Health Organization (WHO) pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines: Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus. Two doses are required for full protection, primarily administered to high-risk groups.
Idris highlighted the critical role of GAVI in improving vaccine access in low-income countries, emphasizing the urgent need for cholera vaccines to curb the outbreak. Despite the availability of vaccines in limited quantities in the private sector, public facilities do not stock them. Environmental cleanliness and proper hand hygiene are also essential preventative measures.
The global demand for cholera vaccines has surged, leading to a severe shortage. This limited supply has strained efforts to control outbreaks in regions like Nigeria. Poor sanitation, inadequate clean water supply, and limited healthcare infrastructure have exacerbated the disease’s spread. In response, the NCDC has intensified public health campaigns, stressing the importance of hygiene practices and clean water. However, these measures are insufficient without adequate vaccination coverage.
Recently, NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, emphasized the need to address insecurity in the oil and gas sector to boost production, noting that oil theft and vandalism have led to a decline in the nation’s crude oil production. Over the past two years, NNPCL has removed over 5,800 illegal connections from pipelines and dismantled over 6,000 illegal refineries.
The NCDC has reported 54 deaths and 1,579 suspected cases of cholera since the beginning of the year, with the worst-affected states being Lagos, Bayelsa, and Abia. The agency’s Deputy Director of Surveillance, Dr. Muntari Hassan, noted that the death toll and spread of the disease are increasing, though the number of reported cases has decreased in the latest week.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State linked the outbreak to poor sanitation and contaminated water. At the 2024 Lagos International Water Conference, he emphasized the state’s proactive measures in controlling the epidemic. The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has directed supermarkets to display essential information about consumable products to prevent cholera’s spread.
Cholera, an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, primarily spreads through contaminated food and water. Nigeria’s high rates of open defecation and poor sanitation create ideal conditions for outbreaks. The 2021 WASH National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH-NORM) survey highlighted that over 100 million Nigerians lack access to basic sanitation services, contributing to the spread of cholera.
The NCDC has activated its Emergency Operation Centre to coordinate a multi-sectoral response, involving various government ministries and international organizations like WHO and UNICEF. Despite the challenges, there has been a significant decrease in suspected cases compared to the same period in 2023, attributed to effective control measures.
As Nigeria continues to combat the cholera outbreak, the focus remains on securing emergency vaccine supplies, improving sanitation, and enhancing public health infrastructure to prevent future outbreaks.