Borno records 274 fresh cholera cases in 24 hours

B orno State has recorded 274 new suspected cholera cases within 24 hours, as the outbreak continues to spread across communities in the state, where more than 40 people have died in one month. The Manager of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre under the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Jacob Audu Thliza, disclosed this on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri on prevention and management of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera. The cholera outbreak had infected over 3,000 people in 139 communities across seven local government areas of Borno State. This, according to government estimates, was recorded in Maiduguri, Jere, Mafa, Konduga, Monguno, Ngala and Magumeri, between 1st and 28th of May, 2026. However, families of the cholera patients interviewed by Daily Trust argued that the figure may be higher, saying a reasonable number of patients are still dying at home. During Tuesday’s meeting, where Thliza presented the data of Cholera Epidemiological Summary, between May 1st and June, he said a total of 4,204 suspected cholera cases were recorded at the Cholera Treatment Center (CTC) and Oral Rehydration Point (ORP) across the state. Of the total number of cases, he said, Jere local government area has 1,214; Bama 8; Kaga 18; Mafa 184; Kwayakusar 8; MMC, 2,404; Konduga 275; Monguno, 90; Magumeri, 1; Ngala 2. He said a total of 39 persons were killed, 2664 discharged, while 118 settlements and 21 communities were affected by the disease. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr. Shettima Maina Mohammed, said the case fatality rate has dropped to below 1 per cent due to aggressive response measures, including treatment of active cases, health promotion campaigns and community sensitisation. He said health workers, volunteers and emergency teams have been deployed to affected areas, alongside distribution of hygiene materials such as soap, disinfectants and chlorine to prevent further spread. Meanwhile, Maiduguri metropolis remains the worst-hit area, accounting for more than half of the total cases. A visit by our correspondent to cholera treatment centres in Maiduguri and Jere revealed overwhelmed health facilities, with patients receiving care on bare floors due to limited space. Emergency tents were also filled, with women and children making up a large proportion of patients. Medical personnel were seen administering urgent treatment, while relatives assisted in holding intravenous drips for severely dehydrated patients. A medical expert, Dr. Tijjani Ammani, said cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, characterised by severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting and rapid dehydration. He warned that if untreated, it can quickly lead to shock and death. He noted that the disease is mainly transmitted through contaminated food and water, adding that poor sanitation, overcrowding and unsafe waste disposal continue to fuel its spread. We’re expecting vaccines from FG — Borno SSG The Borno State Government said it is expecting oral cholera vaccines from the federal government as part of efforts to curb the spread of the disease across affected communities in the state. The Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijjani, disclosed this on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting on cholera prevention and response held in Maiduguri. He said the Minister of Health, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, had assured the state of an “accelerated” process to ensure the vaccines are delivered promptly for deployment in high-risk communities. He said the oral cholera vaccines will be administered in areas most affected by the outbreak to interrupt transmission and reduce new infections. Tijjani said Governor Babagana Zulum had already activated isolation centres across the state and ensured the provision of free drugs, medical consumables and other supplies for the treatment of infected persons. He also noted that development partners were supporting the state with technical assistance, manpower, medicines and other essential materials required for case management. The SSG directed local government chairmen to activate disease surveillance systems, emergency response structures and isolation centres in their respective areas to prevent further spread of the disease. Meanwhile, the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has commiserated with the government and people of Borno State following the tragic loss of lives to a severe cholera outbreak sweeping across multiple local government areas in the state. In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the lawmakers expressed deep concern over the rapid spread of the disease. To prevent further loss of life, the forum called on the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), to collaborate with the Borno State Government and deploy immediate emergency interventions.