Cholera Outbreak Hits Plateau, Five Dead as 11 Cases Confirmed in Mangu

The Plateau State Government has confirmed a cholera outbreak in Mangu Local Government Area, with five persons dead and 11 cases laboratory-confirmed, sparking an intensified emergency response to curb the spread of the disease.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed the development on Sunday while briefing journalists in Jos, the state capital.

According to him, the confirmed infections and fatalities were recorded alongside 53 suspected cases in the Pushit, Mangu 1 and Mangu 2 communities, prompting health authorities to activate emergency containment measures.

Baamlong said the state government had deployed additional Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to affected communities, expanded treatment and isolation facilities, and commenced the emergency procurement of Rapid Diagnostic Test kits, intravenous fluids and other essential medical supplies.

He noted that an Incident Management System (IMS) had been activated to coordinate a comprehensive, multi-sectoral response aimed at containing the outbreak and preventing further transmission.

“We have scaled up public health interventions to contain the outbreak, prevent further transmission and minimise its impact on affected communities,” the commissioner stated.

He urged residents of affected and neighbouring communities to observe strict hygiene practices, including drinking safe water, washing hands regularly, avoiding open defecation and ensuring proper waste disposal.

The commissioner also encouraged residents to promptly report suspected cholera symptoms to the nearest health facility for immediate treatment.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting public health, Baamlong called on development partners, community leaders and other stakeholders to support ongoing response efforts.

Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is commonly spread through contaminated food and water. The disease thrives in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean drinking water.

Nigeria continues to grapple with recurrent cholera outbreaks, particularly during the rainy season when flooding and poor environmental conditions heighten the risk of transmission.

The latest outbreak in Plateau comes weeks after health authorities in Borno State reported a major cholera epidemic that claimed at least 74 lives and infected more than 7,800 people across 14 local government areas.

The outbreak in Borno stretched healthcare resources and prompted emergency interventions by government agencies and humanitarian organisations, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which expanded treatment facilities and intensified disease surveillance efforts.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has maintained that no case of Ebola Virus Disease has been recorded in the country despite outbreaks reported elsewhere in Africa. Authorities have, however, strengthened surveillance and screening measures at international entry points as a precaution against possible importation of the disease.

Health experts warn that improving access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure remains critical to preventing future cholera outbreaks, particularly in vulnerable rural and displaced communities.