NCDC issues cholera alert as floods loom in 10 high-risk states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has released a public health advisory, warning that predicted flooding across parts of the country could heighten the risk of cholera and other disease outbreaks.

Citing forecasts from the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the NCDC noted that heavy rainfall and flooding are expected in several states between April 13 and 17, 2026. The high-risk states listed are Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, and Kwara.

According to the advisory, flooding may trigger outbreaks of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases, along with a rise in malaria cases, waterborne infections, injuries, and disruptions to healthcare services.

The agency urged residents in affected areas to take preventive measures: drink only safe water (boiled or chlorinated), maintain proper hand hygiene, and avoid contact with floodwaters.

It also recommended proper food storage, improved sanitation, and the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to reduce malaria risk.

“Individuals experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting or fever should seek immediate medical attention,” the NCDC stated. Community leaders were called upon to intensify public awareness campaigns, promote sanitation, ensure access to clean water, and encourage early reporting of suspected illnesses.

The NCDC said it is working with state governments to strengthen disease surveillance, preparedness, and emergency response efforts.

The advisory comes amid growing concern over seasonal flooding, which has historically led to disease outbreaks in vulnerable communities across Nigeria.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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