Cholera: 27 killed as Borno records over 2,700 suspected Cholera cases

At least 27 persons have lost their lives in an outbreak of Cholera across five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State. An estimated 2,715 persons are suspected to be affected by the disease. The data contained in an official epidemiological summary made available to newsmen revealed that the cases were recorded within the 24 […]

At least 27 persons have lost their lives in an outbreak of Cholera across five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State.

An estimated 2,715 persons are suspected to be affected by the disease.

The data contained in an official epidemiological summary made available to newsmen revealed that the cases were recorded within the 24 days of May, 2026.

A breakdown from the five local government areas revealed that Jere recorded 834 cases; Mafa 159; Konduga, 95; Monguno, 56, while Ngala and Magumeri recorded two and one respectively.

With 1,568 cases, the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) stands as the epicenter of the crisis as it accounts for more than half of the total burden.

The data also revealed a rapidly escalating public health situation, with hundreds of new suspected cases reported in a single 24-hour period.

According to the data, there is a rapidly escalating public health situation, with hundreds of new suspected cases reported in a single 24-hour period.

Medical officials have warned that the current case count of 2,715 remains conservative, noting that data from several Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs) and Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) are yet to be fully integrated into the official database.

There are palpable fears among residents that infections could spike further during the upcoming festive season, a situation worsened by the failure of the state Ministry of Health to issue an official public alert.

It was also gathered that the outbreak has penetrated at least 29 wards and 124 different communities across the state.

Of the 27 fatalities documented so far, 11 occurred within local communities, highlighting potential gaps in early healthcare access and emergency response.

“The remaining 16 deaths were recorded inside designated health facilities,” it said.

Also, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) currently stands at 1%, which touches the World Health Organization’s (WHO) emergency threshold requiring immediate, scaled-up intervention.

Meanwhile, health workers, particularly within the non-governmental sector, have expressed deep concern over the state government’s delay in declaring a public health emergency and launching a massive public awareness campaign to contain the spread.

When contacted, the Director of Public Health, Borno State Ministry of Health, Dr Goni Imam Ali, said the report didn’t emanate from the ministry and he was not in position to comment on the situation.