Environmental Vibrio cholerae Strains Harboring Cholera Toxin and Vibrio Pathogenicity Island 1, Nigeria, 2008–2015

Analysis of clinical and environmental Vibrio cholerae O1 strains obtained during 2008-2015 in Nigeria showed that lineages Afr9 and Afr12 carrying cholera toxin and Vibrio pathogenicity island 1 can be isolated from water. Our findings raise concerns about the role of the environment in maintenance and emergence of cholera outbreaks in Nigeria.