The World Health Organisation has raised concerns over significant gaps in cholera surveillance and reporting across affected regions, including Nigeria, as the country grapples with a growing number of suspected cases amid a global surge.
Between January 1 and May 25, 2025, Nigeria reported 1,562 cholera cases, contributing to the 117,346 cases recorded across 17 countries in the WHO African Region during the same period.
This is according to data exclusively obtained from WHO on Friday by our correspondent.
However, WHO cautioned that the figures might not reflect the full extent of the outbreak due to underreporting, delays in data submission, and limited diagnostic capacity.
“The data presented here should be interpreted cautiously due to potential underreporting and reporting delays. This may affect the timeliness of reports, and thus, the presented figures might not accurately represent the true burden of cholera.
“The diversity of surveillance systems, case definitions, and laboratory capacities among countries means that statistics on cholera cases and deaths are not directly comparable. Additionally, the global case fatality rate for cholera warrants a prudent examination as it is heavily influenced by variations in surveillance methodologies,” it said.
The figure showed that from January 1, 2025 to May 25 2025, a cumulative total of 211,678 cholera cases and 2754 deaths were reported from 26 countries across three WHO regions, with the African Region recording the highest numbers.
The Eastern Mediterranean Region and South-East Asia Region followed Africa Region in the number of cases and deaths.
In May 2025, the average stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccine was 5.7 million doses, the sixth consecutive month with the monthly average above the emergency stockpile level of five million.
In its latest global epidemiological update, WHO noted that cholera and acute watery diarrhea cases increased by 35 per cent in May compared to April, with the African Region accounting for nearly half of the 52,589 new cases reported globally.
Nigeria, which faces recurrent cholera outbreaks particularly during the rainy season, has long struggled with inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure—especially in rural and conflict-affected areas.
Public health experts warn that unless surveillance and response systems were strengthened, the country could face a wider outbreak with higher fatalities.
WHO’s report also highlighted that cholera-related deaths were highest in the African Region, with 2,447 fatalities reported this year. Nigeria’s death toll has also hit 48.
The agency underscored the need for urgent investments in prevention, early detection, and treatment access.