A cholera outbreak in Borno State has killed 27 people and infected 2,715 others in the first 24 days of May, according to an official epidemiological report.
The outbreak has spread to 29 wards and 124 communities, with Maiduguri Metropolitan Council the worst hit at 1,568 suspected cases. Other affected areas include Jere with 834 cases, Mafa 159, Konduga 95, Monguno 56, Ngala 2, and Magumeri 1.
Of the 27 deaths, 11 occurred in communities and 16 in health facilities. The current case fatality rate stands at 1%, meeting the World Health Organization’s threshold for urgent response. Laboratory tests confirmed 14 cases at the National Reference Laboratory, with 35 others positive on rapid diagnostic tests.
Health officials warn the actual number of infections may be higher, as reports from several Cholera Treatment Centres and Oral Rehydration Points are yet to be fully captured. Residents also fear faster spread during the upcoming festive season amid the absence of a public health advisory from the state Ministry of Health.
Health workers in the humanitarian sector said the state government has been slow to respond and criticized the lack of a formal public health declaration and awareness campaign.
“What the government is supposed to do at this critical moment is call a press conference and declare a cholera outbreak so that residents can take measures to safeguard themselves. But this is not being done,” one health worker said anonymously.
Attempts to reach Borno State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Malam Gana, were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered as of press time.
