Borno State is facing a worsening cholera outbreak, with 39 deaths recorded within 24 hours and 272 new cases confirmed across 36 wards in eight local government areas.
The Incident Manager of the Public Emergency Operations Centre, Jacob Audu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Maiduguri, noting that the outbreak has now spread across 138 communities in the affected councils.
Audu called on residents to observe strict hygiene practices and other preventive measures to help contain the spread of the disease. He added that government authorities have already put in place stronger response measures to manage the situation.
Speaking on the development, the Permanent Secretary of the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Shettima Maina, said two emergency response centres had been reactivated to treat infected persons across the affected areas.
Maina described the illness as acute watery diarrhoea, without explicitly confirming it as cholera, but assured that efforts were ongoing to prevent further spread to other communities.
He said Governor Babagana Zulum had approved the release of funds, drugs, and medical supplies to health facilities, adding that all patients would receive free treatment.
According to him, health authorities have also intensified awareness campaigns and community sensitisation across the state to curb further transmission.
“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,” Maina said.
“We are currently conducting sensitisation campaigns and stakeholder meetings on acute watery diarrhoea and its management for local government chairmen and other stakeholders across the state.”
Health officials further disclosed that women aged 21 to 50 are the most affected group, while Old Maiduguri Ward in Maiduguri has recorded the highest number of cases so far.
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