A cholera outbreak has been declared in Borno State, Nigeria, with a staggering 451 cases recorded so far ¹. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Baba Mallam Gana, announced this during a press conference in Maiduguri, attributing the outbreak to the recent devastating floods that displaced over two million people and destroyed critical health infrastructure.
Causes and Risk Factors
According to Prof. Gana, cholera is highly contagious and can be transmitted via the fecal-oral route, with an incubation period of 2-5 days. The risk factors for cholera include:
- Poor sanitation and personal hygiene
- Open defecation
- Poor food and water storage
- Insufficient potable water supply
- High population density, especially in IDP camps and ceremonies ¹
Affected Areas
The affected local government areas include:
- Maiduguri Metropolitan Council
- Jere
- Konduga
- Mafa
- Monguno ¹
Call to Action
Prof. Gana urged all line ministries, agencies, departments, and partners to join hands and provide optimal responses to control the current cholera outbreak. He also commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s efforts in providing succour to flood-affected communities and investing in the health sector.
Prevention and Awareness
The media has been tasked with partnering with the government to inform, sensitize, create awareness, and educate the public about the dangers of cholera and how to prevent it ¹. This is not the first time Borno State has experienced a cholera outbreak. In 2022, the state recorded 12,496 confirmed cases with 394 deaths ².
