Cholera in Nigeria (Update 1)
24 Sep 2021
Public health authorities in Nigeria report widespread transmission of cholera across the country. In the week ending 12 September 2021, 13 states reported a total of 1 182 suspected cases
Since the beginning of 2021, 72 910 suspected cholera cases (including 2 404 deaths) have been reported from 27 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
Cholera is an infection spread mainly through food and water that can cause acute watery diarrhoea.
Advice for Travellers
Cholera is rare in travellers. Mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.
If you are travelling to a country where there is an outbreak of cholera, you should be aware how to:
- practice safe food and water precautions
- practice effective hand hygiene
- treat mild diarrhoea, and when to seek medical attention
A vaccine is available to protect against cholera. Since the risk to travellers is very low, the vaccine is only usually recommended for volunteers or humanitarian workers travelling to work in disaster relief situations.
See the fitfortravel Cholera page for further information.