Cholera has claimed the lives of 53 people in Nigeria in the latest outbreak, which began in June. With 1,598 suspected cases reported, this is the second significant outbreak in three years. To combat the spread of the disease, a new online resource, Cholerafacts, aims to provide crucial information on prevention and symptom detection.
Cholerafacts was launched in June 2024 by Yahaya Hassan and Dipo Ayoola shortly after cholera cases began to surge in Nigeria. The website aggregates valuable information on the prevention and early detection of the bacterial disease, serving as a comprehensive resource for the public.
The nine-page, user-friendly website offers detailed sections on cholera, including descriptions of the disease, its symptoms, transmission methods, prevention tips, and treatment resources. It also provides contact information for relevant health agencies, enabling users to report concerns and escalate issues promptly in case of emergencies or suspected exposure.
While prevention is key, Cholerafacts also provides information on obtaining care kits for early symptom treatment. The site lists pharmacies across the country where users can access cholera vaccines if exposed.
Cholerafacts arrives as government and private institutions ramp up awareness campaigns about cholera. Similar to resources like the COVID-19 tracker and Ebola Facts used during previous health crises, Cholerafacts is positioned as a crucial tool to help curb the spread of the bacterial disease.
To date, Nigeria has reported 1,598 suspected cases and 53 deaths due to cholera, which is prevalent in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Cholerafacts tracks and regularly updates this data. The website also provides information about previous cholera outbreaks in Nigeria, including the deadly 2021 outbreak that claimed over 2,000 lives.
“We hope that in the future, Cholerafacts can serve as a single source of truth for anything cholera-related,” Hassan concluded.
