Cholera Claims 39 Lives in 24 Hours as Borno Records 272 New Cases

Borno State is grappling with a worsening cholera outbreak after health authorities confirmed 39 deaths and 272 new infections within a 24-hour period across eight local government areas of the state.

The latest figures were disclosed on Tuesday in Maiduguri by the Incident Manager of the Public Emergency Operations Centre, Jacob Audu, who warned that the disease continues to spread across multiple communities despite ongoing containment efforts.

According to Audu, the outbreak has now affected 36 wards and 138 communities, making it one of the most significant public health emergencies currently confronting the state.

He urged residents to observe strict hygiene practices, seek prompt medical attention when symptoms occur and cooperate with health officials to prevent further transmission of the disease.

Audu said the state government and its partners had intensified intervention measures aimed at containing the outbreak and reducing fatalities.

Also speaking on the situation, the Permanent Secretary of the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr. Shettima Maina, disclosed that the government had reactivated two emergency response centres to provide treatment and coordinate response efforts in affected areas.

While describing the illness as acute watery diarrhoea, Maina stopped short of explicitly identifying it as cholera. However, he assured residents that authorities were working aggressively to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread to additional communities.

He noted that preliminary data suggested the number of new infections had started showing signs of decline in some locations following intensified interventions.

Governor Babagana Zulum, according to the health ministry, has approved the release of emergency funds, drugs and other medical consumables to support affected healthcare facilities.

“Governor Babagana Zulum has released funds, drugs and other medical consumables to the affected health centres and patients will be treated free of charge,” Maina said.

The permanent secretary added that public health awareness campaigns had been expanded across the affected local government areas to educate residents on prevention measures and encourage early reporting of symptoms.

“The Ministry of Health and its agencies have embarked on health promotion and awareness campaigns in all the affected communities to ensure the disease does not spread further,” he said.

According to him, stakeholder engagement meetings are also being held with local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders and other key actors to strengthen surveillance and response efforts.

Health officials disclosed that women between the ages of 21 and 50 currently constitute the demographic most affected by the outbreak, while Old Maiduguri Ward has recorded the highest concentration of cases.

The development has heightened concerns among health authorities, who fear that poor sanitation conditions and population movements could accelerate the spread of infections if preventive measures are not strictly observed.

Borno has experienced recurring outbreaks of waterborne diseases in recent years, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding, which often compromise access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

Authorities have urged residents to drink safe water, maintain proper personal hygiene, wash hands regularly and immediately report symptoms such as severe diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration to the nearest health facility.

As emergency teams continue containment efforts across the state, health officials say sustained public cooperation will be critical to preventing further fatalities and bringing the outbreak under control.