Plateau State has recorded 11 confirmed cases of cholera and five deaths, prompting authorities to intensify emergency response measures to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists in Jos, the state capital.
According to him, the confirmed cases and fatalities were recorded alongside 53 suspected cases in Pushit, Mangu 1, and Mangu 2 communities of Mangu Local Government Area.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by the consumption of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae.
The disease thrives in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate access to safe drinking water.
Baamlong said the Plateau State Ministry of Health had intensified public health interventions in the affected communities as part of efforts to contain the outbreak and reduce its impact.
He explained that the government had deployed additional Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to affected wards, expanded treatment centres and isolation facilities, and commenced the emergency procurement of Rapid Diagnostic Test kits, intravenous fluids, and other essential medicines.
The commissioner added that an Incident Management System (IMS) had been activated to coordinate a comprehensive multi-sectoral response to the outbreak.
“We have scaled up public health interventions to contain the outbreak, prevent further transmission, and minimize its impact on affected communities,” he said.
Baamlong urged residents of affected and neighbouring communities to adopt preventive measures, including drinking safe water, maintaining proper hygiene, avoiding open defecation, and ensuring proper waste disposal.
He also advised residents to promptly report suspected cases to the nearest healthcare facility for immediate medical attention.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of residents and called on development partners and stakeholders to support ongoing response efforts.
Nigeria continues to battle recurring cholera outbreaks, particularly during the rainy season when flooding, poor sanitation, and limited access to clean water heighten the risk of transmission.
The disease disproportionately affects vulnerable communities with inadequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, while rural populations and internally displaced persons often face additional barriers to healthcare access
In June 2026, health authorities in Borno State reported a major cholera outbreak that claimed at least 74 lives and infected more than 7,800 people across 14 local government areas.
The outbreak placed significant pressure on healthcare facilities, prompting emergency interventions by government agencies and humanitarian organizations.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), working alongside health authorities, expanded treatment capacity while intensifying disease surveillance, hygiene promotion campaigns, and vaccination planning.
Meanwhile, health officials have continued to monitor other infectious disease threats across the country. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that no Ebola cases have been recorded in Nigeria despite renewed outbreaks in parts of Africa.
As a precautionary measure, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has strengthened screening procedures at international entry points in line with preparedness efforts coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
(The Guardian)
