Main health risks for Nigeria

Diseases transmitted by insects or animals

Malaria affects the whole country with a recrudescence between June and November. Strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3). Malaria is one of the three main causes of mortality among Nigerian population.

Yellow fever is endemic in the country.

Lassa fever is endemic in the states of Edo, Ebonyi, Plateau, Lagos, Ogun, Nasarawa, Taraba, Borno and Anambra. Lassa fever outbreaks occur regularly. It is a viral hemorrhagic fever is hosted by a rodent. Due to that risk, travelers should not walk bare-foot.

Nigeria has been affected by the epizootic of avian flu since 2006; nevertheless, only one case of human transmission has been reported (2007).

There are cases of animal rabies in the country.

Diseases transmitted by food, water or through the environment

Diarrheic diseases are common.

Cholera is endemic during the rainy season (May to September) in northern Nigeria. In order to minimize risks, it is recommended to wash hands thoroughly before meals, and to use uncontaminated water. A cholera outbreak has killed 33 people in the state of Yobe in August 2011. From January to August 1st, 2011, local health authorities reported 12,840 cholera cases (318 deaths). In 2010, more than 37,000 cases (1,400 deaths) have been reported mainly in the north-east of the country.

Nigeria remains one of the four countries (along with Afghanistan, India and Pakistan) where polio is considered endemic. In 2011, 50 cases have been reported in Nigeria. In 2009, 388 cases of polio have been confirmed compared to only 21 reported in 2010.

Diseases transmitted by contact with infected people

AIDS is the highest cause of mortality among adult population in Nigeria. According to UNAIDS, there are 2 millions adult Nigerians (15-49) who are HIV-positive.

Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.

The country is located in the meningitis belt, where frequent epidemics of meningococcal meningitis occur, especially during the dry season. Meningococcal meningitis is a disease characterized by sudden fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck and a rash. The fatality rate is usually 5 to 15 percent. Transmission occurs by inhaling the bacteria, direct mouth-to-mouth contact with an infected person or contamination by an infected person's nasal secretions.