By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a nationwide health alert as heavy rains and the threat of flash floods raise the risk of outbreaks of cholera, yellow fever, and dengue fever.
The warning follows a forecast from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which identified several states, including Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Yobe, as highly vulnerable to flash flooding this July. According to the NCDC, such conditions can significantly impact public health by contaminating water sources and creating breeding grounds for disease vectors.
“Floodwaters often carry pathogens from soil, animal waste, and sewage into rivers and lakes,” said NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris in a statement. “This poses a serious risk to drinking water supplies and contributes to the spread of cholera.”
Between June 23 and 29, suspected cholera cases were reported in 34 states, with Zamfara alone accounting for 32 percent of the total. Other badly affected states include Bayelsa, Adamawa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers.
Concerns are not limited to cholera. The NCDC has confirmed an outbreak of dengue fever in Edo State earlier in June, with laboratory tests showing a rise in infections. In addition, seven confirmed yellow fever cases have been recorded across six states — Abia, Anambra, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, and Rivers. Although no deaths have been reported, health officials note that a single confirmed yellow fever case constitutes an outbreak under national and international health protocols.
Both yellow fever and dengue are spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant water — a common consequence of flooding.
To contain the situation, the NCDC is working with state governments, health partners, and communities to boost disease surveillance, distribute emergency medical supplies, deploy response teams, and run awareness campaigns.
The agency is urging Nigerians to take preventive steps such as maintaining good hygiene, using clean water for washing food, eliminating stagnant water, and ensuring yellow fever vaccinations are up to date.
“Swift and coordinated action is essential,” said Idris, warning that the country faces a looming public health emergency if proactive measures are not taken.
