The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that cholera cases have increased globally.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the WHO stated that 46,364 new cholera cases were reported from 19 countries in May 2024, representing a 58% rise over the previous month.
It stated that from January 1, 2024 to May 26, 2024, 194,897 cholera cases and 1,932 deaths were reported in 24 nations across five regions.
According to the organisation, the Eastern Mediterranean region had the most cases (98,003; seven countries), followed by the African region (92,789; 14 countries), the Americas (2,672; one country), South-East Asia (1,328; two countries), and Europe (105; one country).
According to the WHO, 1,698 people died in Africa, 256 in the Eastern Mediterranean, 13 in the Americas, four in South-East Asia, and one in Europe during this time period.
The WHO report comes as Lagos, Nigeria’s most populated city and commercial centre, is fighting a cholera outbreak.
On June 11, Akin Abayomi, Lagos Commissioner for Health, stated that five individuals died and another 60 citizens were hospitalised as a result of a probable cholera epidemic in several parts of the city.
On Saturday, the commissioner acknowledged the cholera outbreak, stating that there are 350 suspected cases, 17 of which have been confirmed, and 15 have died.
As of Thursday, the number of cholera-related deaths in the state has risen to 24.