NCDC issues national alert on cholera, yellow and dengue fever amid flood season risks

Summary

• Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention warns of rising cholera cases and confirmed outbreaks of yellow fever and dengue fever
• Flood-prone states including Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara and Yobe face heightened risk of disease due to contaminated water and mosquito breeding grounds
• NCDC coordinates national response with state governments and health partners, urging personal hygiene, vaccination and mosquito control
• Edo State confirms dengue fever outbreak, while yellow fever cases are reported in six states; cholera cases now span 34 states with Zamfara worst hit

Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a nationwide alert warning of increased risk of infectious disease outbreaks during the ongoing flood season, including cholera, yellow fever, and dengue fever.

This comes in the wake of an impact-based weather forecast issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which highlights the elevated risk of flooding in several states throughout July 2025. Sokoto is identified as being at particularly high risk, along with Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe and others.

Floodwaters are known to significantly increase the likelihood of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, contaminating drinking water sources and creating stagnant water that serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. This creates ideal conditions for the spread of cholera, yellow fever, dengue fever, and other diseases.

The NCDC reports that cholera remains a major concern, with 34 states already recording suspected cases as of late June. Zamfara alone accounts for 32% of the total. Other highly affected states include Bayelsa, Adamawa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers.

Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, leads to severe watery diarrhoea and rapid dehydration and can be fatal within hours if not treated.

Additionally, yellow fever and dengue fever, both mosquito-borne viral diseases, have also been detected in various parts of the country. Seven confirmed cases of yellow fever have been reported in six states—Abia, Anambra, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, and Rivers—with the NCDC reminding the public that even a single confirmed case constitutes an outbreak.

In early June, dengue fever was confirmed in Edo State following laboratory testing. The agency is working closely with the Edo State Ministry of Health to lead response efforts including mosquito control, enhanced surveillance, and public awareness campaigns.

In a statement signed by its Director General, Dr Jide Idris, the NCDC urged Nigerians to adopt preventive measures such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites, using insect repellents and nets, and seeking prompt medical care. Vaccination against yellow fever remains the most effective protection.

The agency also emphasised the importance of proper hygiene, safe water consumption, and sanitation practices to prevent cholera and other waterborne illnesses.

Healthcare workers are advised to maintain a high level of suspicion for dengue fever in febrile patients and to report all suspected cases promptly, as dengue is legally a notifiable disease in Nigeria.

The NCDC continues to collaborate with state governments, health partners, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to contain outbreaks and protect public health.

Further updates and detailed outbreak information are available via the NCDC’s official website at www.ncdc.gov.ng.