The WHO has expressed serious concerns about cholera data gaps in Nigeria, where 1,562 cases have been reported amid a global outbreak. The organization warns that underreporting may make the situation worse than it appears, and emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and investments in health infrastructure to prevent further fatalities. Nigeria faces recurrent cholera outbreaks largely due to inadequate water and sanitation systems.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms regarding gaps in cholera data and surveillance, particularly in Nigeria, as the country deals with a spike in cases. From January 1 to May 25, 2025, Nigeria reported a total of 1,562 cholera cases, contributing to an alarming 117,346 cases across 17 countries in the WHO African Region during the same timeframe. This data was exclusively provided to us by WHO on Friday.
However, WHO cautioned that the official numbers might not show the true scope of the crisis. They pointed to issues like underreporting, delays in submitting data, and limited testing capabilities. This means that the figures released could be misleading. “The data presented here should be interpreted cautiously due to potential underreporting and reporting delays. This may affect the timeliness of reports, and thus, the presented figures might not accurately represent the true burden of cholera,” the organization said.
The report stated a cumulative total of 211,678 cholera cases and 2,754 deaths were reported globally from 26 countries between January 1 and May 25, 2025. The African Region bore the brunt of this outbreak, with the Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia regions also reporting significant numbers.
In May 2025, the average global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccine reached 5.7 million doses, marking the sixth month in a row with stock levels exceeding the emergency threshold of five million. This increase comes as WHO observed a 35% rise in cholera and acute watery diarrhea cases in May compared to April, with nearly half of the new 52,589 cases reported worldwide coming from Africa.
Nigeria is no stranger to these outbreaks, particularly during the rainy season. The country has struggled for years with inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, especially in rural and conflict-prone areas. Experts are worried that without improvements in surveillance and response systems, Nigeria might face an even larger outbreak with more fatalities.
Furthermore, WHO’s report pointed out that the African Region has the highest number of cholera-related deaths so far this year, with 2,447 fatalities. In Nigeria alone, the death toll has reached 48. The agency stressed that there’s an urgent need for investment in cholera prevention, early detection, and improving access to treatments.
In summary, the World Health Organization has highlighted concerning gaps in cholera surveillance in Nigeria, where case numbers are on the rise. Despite showing specific data, underreporting and delays suggest the actual situation may be worse. Furthermore, the need for better infrastructure and public health responses is urgent to prevent further outbreaks and fatalities. WHO’s recommendations for strengthening systems and increasing investment in prevention measures are vital.
Original Source: punchng.com
