As Nigeria moves deeper into the rainy season, health authorities are once again grappling with the resurgence of cholera, a recurring public health challenge that continues to threaten vulnerable communities across the country. The disease has re-emerged in parts of Northern Nigeria, resulting in fatalities and thousands of infections, particularly in Plateau and Borno states. In response, several other states have stepped up surveillance and preparedness efforts to avert potential outbreaks.
Public health experts say the latest cases highlight longstanding issues such as inadequate access to clean water, poor sanitation, weak hygiene practices, population displacement and fragile healthcare systems. They caution that without sustained intervention and preventive measures, additional states could experience a surge in infections in the coming weeks.
While Plateau State is dealing with a relatively limited outbreak in Mangu Local Government Area, Borno State is confronting a far more severe situation, with thousands of suspected cases recorded within weeks.
According to data released by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Borno reported 35 deaths and 3,646 new cholera infections within a single week.
The figures further show that from early May to June 9, the state recorded 74 deaths and 7,850 suspected cholera cases spread across 12 local government areas.
MSF also disclosed that more than 500 suspected cholera patients were admitted to treatment centres on June 5 alone, marking the highest number of daily admissions since emergency response efforts commenced.
The Maiduguri metropolitan area remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for more than half of all reported infections in the state.
Borno IDP camp records 296 cases in 3 days
The cholera outbreak in Borno State has worsened, particularly in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Monguno, where nearly 300 suspected cases were recorded within three days, heightening concerns among health officials and residents.
Health workers and community volunteers told Daily Trust on Monday that the increasing number of patients arriving at Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs) is placing significant pressure on available resources and complicating containment efforts.
A health official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the steady influx of patients from the IDP camp has generated anxiety within the community.
Records obtained by our correspondent indicate that 296 suspected cholera cases, predominantly involving women and children, were admitted to the treatment centre between June 11 and June 13. The breakdown shows that 48 cases were recorded on June 11 and 68 on June 12, while the figure surged to 180 on June 13.
Another health worker revealed that approximately 90 per cent of the patients originated from IDP camps in the area. He noted that while most affected individuals recovered after receiving treatment, several fatalities occurred because some patients delayed seeking medical attention.
“Some infected persons refused to come to the treatment centre and died at home. They initially treated the diarrhoea with drugs such as Flagyl and tetracycline before eventually succumbing to the disease,” he said.
The source added that the outbreak has persisted in Monguno for more than a month despite intervention efforts by the Borno State Government and development partners.
One resident, Yagana Lawan, recounted how her child suddenly developed symptoms associated with the disease.
“He started vomiting and became very weak. Later, diarrhoea followed. We rushed him to General Hospital Monguno, where he was referred to the cholera treatment centre,” she said.
Meanwhile, in Plateau State, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, confirmed that five people had died following a cholera outbreak in Mangu Local Government Area.
Baamlong disclosed that 52 suspected cases had been reported, with 11 patients currently receiving treatment in healthcare facilities. He said the outbreak had affected communities, including Pushit, Mangu I and Mangu II.
Although the scale of infections in Plateau remains significantly lower than that recorded in Borno, health authorities say they are responding swiftly to contain the disease and prevent further transmission.
Why Borno and Plateau are vulnerable
Public health experts have attributed the cholera outbreaks in Plateau and Borno states to a combination of environmental, social and infrastructural challenges, arguing that the crises were largely preventable.
Speaking separately with Daily Trust, the experts said longstanding deficiencies in water supply, sanitation, hygiene and public infrastructure have created conditions that allow the disease to flourish, particularly during the rainy season.
A public health specialist, Dr. Aliyu Isah, said cholera outbreaks are closely tied to poor water and sanitation systems.
“Cholera is not a mysterious disease. It thrives where people lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities. When communities depend on contaminated streams, wells or poorly maintained water sources, the risk increases significantly,” Isah said.
He noted that the outbreak in Plateau State reflects deeper sanitation challenges affecting many rural communities.
“In many rural settlements, access to potable water remains poor. Open defecation is still common in several areas and these factors create pathways for contamination during the rainy season,” he added.
Also speaking, a medical practitioner at Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja, Godwin Ekuwke, said the impact of conflict and displacement has made Borno particularly susceptible to cholera outbreaks.
“In emergency and humanitarian settings, cholera spreads very quickly because many people live in crowded environments with limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities,” he said.
Ekuwke explained that many displaced persons depend on communal water sources, temporary shelters and inadequate sanitation facilities, conditions that facilitate the rapid spread of infectious diseases.
“Those conditions create the perfect environment for transmission. Once cholera enters such communities, it can spread rapidly if not detected early,” he said.
Another public health expert, Grace Jegede, linked the recurring outbreaks to climate-related factors, warning that changing weather patterns are increasing the risk of disease transmission across Northern Nigeria.
“During the rainy season, floodwaters frequently contaminate drinking water sources with human waste. Communities relying on untreated water become highly vulnerable,” she said.
Jegede stressed that climate change is making cholera outbreaks more frequent and less predictable, underscoring the need for stronger preventive measures.
“Extreme weather events are increasing, and this means governments must strengthen preparedness mechanisms before outbreaks occur,” she said, adding that prevention must go beyond emergency response.
