At least 27 people have died following a cholera outbreak across several local government areas of Borno State, with about 2,715 suspected cases recorded within the first 24 days of May 2026.
An official epidemiological summary obtained by journalists revealed that the outbreak has affected Jere, Mafa, Konduga, Monguno, Ngala and Magumeri local government areas.
According to the report, Jere recorded 834 suspected cases, Mafa 159, Konduga 95, Monguno 56, while Ngala and Magumeri recorded two and one case respectively.
The Maiduguri Metropolitan Council remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for 1,568 suspected infections, representing more than half of the total cases recorded so far.
The report described the outbreak as rapidly escalating, with hundreds of new suspected cases recorded within a 24-hour period.
Medical officials warned that the reported figure of 2,715 suspected cases could be higher, noting that data from some Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs) and Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) had yet to be fully captured.
The outbreak has reportedly spread across 29 wards and 124 communities within the state, raising fears of further transmission if urgent containment measures are not intensified.
Of the 27 deaths recorded so far, 11 reportedly occurred within communities, a development that has heightened concerns over poor access to healthcare services and delayed emergency response.
The remaining 16 deaths were recorded in health facilities across the affected areas.
According to the report, the current Case Fatality Rate stands at one percent, meeting the World Health Organization emergency threshold for urgent intervention.
Health workers, particularly those operating within the non-governmental sector, expressed concern over what they described as delays by the state government in declaring a public health emergency and launching a large-scale public awareness campaign.
When contacted, the Director of Public Health at the Borno State Ministry of Health, Dr Goni Imam Ali, said the epidemiological report did not originate from the ministry and declined further comment on the situation.
