Cholera has killed eight people in Oyo State and ten others have been hospitalised, health officials said Thursday, in the latest outbreak to hit the state following a heavy rainy season.
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Nigeria suffered cholera epidemics during the rainy seasons of 2010 and 2011, with nearly 2,000 people killed over two years.
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While 2012 saw few reported infections health officials warn that Nigeria remains vulnerable to further outbreaks because of its high population density and poor sanitation in many areas.
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"We have eight deaths and 10 people in the hospital," said Cosmas Oni, spokesman for the health ministry in southwestern Oyo state, adding that the outbreak was confirmed on Monday.
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"We have also embarked on a campaign to enlighten the people on the need to always clean their environment and drink clean water because the whole place is reeling with dirt," Oni told AFP. Cholera, a highly contagious intestinal infection, is transmitted by water soiled by human waste.
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The disease leads to diarrhoea, dehydration and death if untreated.
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Cholera outbreaks occur regularly during the rainy season in Nigeria, when downpours wash contaminants into wells used by families.
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The rainy season typically runs from April to September.
This is really sad and I hope something fast is done to prevent more havoc from happening...This is just highly ridiculous! Too bad...