INFECTIOUS AND CHRONIC DISEASES IN NIGERIA

INFECTIOUS AND CHRONIC DISEASES IN NIGERIA

Nigeria continues to face a high burden of infectious diseases, which contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality across the country. Some of the most common and deadly infectious diseases include malaria, HIV/AIDS, and cholera.

1. Malaria

Prevalence and Impact:

Malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Nigeria, accounting for 27% of the global malaria burden and 30.9% of malaria-related deaths worldwide in 2023.

Children under five are particularly vulnerable, with malaria being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this age group.

Annual cases: Over 50 million cases are reported in Nigeria each year, with more than 300,000 deaths attributed to malaria annually.

Public Health Efforts:

RTS,S/AS01 vaccine: Nigeria began rolling out the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine in late 2023, with the goal of vaccinating children aged 5-17 months in high-burden states