Follow Us on Google
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has confirmed the outbreak of dengue fever in Edo State.
It said the cases were confirmed between June 9 and 13, 2025, through laboratory testing.
The NCDC also raised the alarm of possible outbreak of cholera and yellow fever in a scale that could be a threat to public health, even as Nigeria is already experiencing a rising incidence of cholera, while yellow and dengue fevers are beginning to be detected in some states.
NCDC Director General, Dr Jide Idris, in a statement on Friday, said the alert became necessary following the recent forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the reports received so far based on the forecast.
He made reference to NiMet’s impact-based weather forecast that highlighted several states at heightened risk of flooding and flash floods.
Other News
He said that Sokoto State was identified as having a particularly high risk of flash flooding, while other states at notable flood risk include Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, and a couple of other states.
He said: “These flash floods can lead to large-scale displacement of populations, disruption of livelihoods, and increased risk of infectious disease outbreaks, especially waterborne and vector-borne diseases.
“Floodwaters often contaminate our water sources by washing pathogens or germs from soil, animal waste, or overwhelmed sewage systems into rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.
“This contamination affects drinking water sources and creates ideal conditions for the spread of cholera, which is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
He, however, assured the public that, in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry of Health, NCDC is leading response efforts against the dengue fever, including enhanced surveillance, risk communication, mosquito control, and clinical management support.
