Borno State in North East Nigeria has been grappling with the devastating impact of Boko Haram insurgency for over 15 years.
A cholera outbreak sweeping across parts of Borno State has claimed no fewer than 27 lives, with 2,715 suspected cases recorded in the first 24 days of May, according to an official epidemiological report obtained by our correspondent.
The figures indicate a worsening public health crisis, as health authorities continue to record hundreds of fresh suspected infections within short intervals.
Medical officials familiar with the response efforts warned that the actual number of infections may be far higher than the current tally, noting that reports from several Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs) and Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) have yet to be fully captured in the official database.
Residents have also expressed concern that the disease could spread more rapidly during the forthcoming festive season, especially amid the absence of an official public health advisory from the state Ministry of Health.
Findings by Humanitarian Times revealed that the outbreak has now affected at least 29 wards and 124 communities across the state.
The Maiduguri Metropolitan Council remains the worst-hit area, accounting for 1,568 suspected cases — more than half of the total infections recorded so far.
Other affected local government areas include Jere with 834 cases, Mafa with 159 cases, Konduga with 95 cases, and Monguno where 56 cases were documented.
Additional infections were reported in Ngala with two cases and Magumeri with one case.
Out of the 27 deaths recorded so far, 11 occurred within communities, raising concerns over delayed access to healthcare and weak emergency response systems in affected areas. The remaining 16 fatalities were reported in health facilities.
The current Case Fatality Rate (CFR) stands at one per cent, meeting the emergency intervention threshold set by the World Health Organization for urgent and intensified response measures.
Laboratory data from the outbreak also showed that 35 cases tested positive through Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), while 14 infections have been confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL).
Meanwhile, health workers, particularly those operating within the humanitarian and non-governmental sectors, have voiced frustration over what they described as the state government’s slow response to the outbreak.
A health worker, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to speak to journalists, criticized the absence of a formal public health declaration and awareness campaign.
“What the government is supposed to do at this critical moment is call a press conference and declare a cholera outbreak so that residents can take measures to safeguard themselves. But this is not being done,” the source said.
Attempts to get a response from the Borno State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Malam Gana, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to his mobile line were not answered as of the time this report was filed.
