At least 27 persons have lost their lives in a worsening cholera outbreak sweeping across parts of Borno State, with health authorities recording about 2,715 suspected infections within the first 24 days of May 2026, according to an official epidemiological report.
The disease which has spread rapidly across several communities, has affected six Local Government Areas, including Jere, Mafa, Konduga, Monguno, Ngala and Magumeri, raising fears of a wider public health emergency in the State.
Data contained in the report showed that Jere Local Government Area recorded 834 suspected cases, making it one of the hardest-hit areas after the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), which emerged as the epicentre of the outbreak with 1,568 suspected infections.
Mafa recorded 159 suspected cases, while Konduga and Monguno recorded 95 and 56 cases respectively. Ngala and Magumeri recorded two and one suspected cases respectively, Daily Trust reports.
The epidemiological summary described the situation as rapidly escalating, noting that hundreds of fresh suspected infections were recorded within a 24-hour period, a development that has heightened concerns among health officials and humanitarian workers operating in the state.
Medical personnel involved in the response also warned that the actual number of infections could be significantly higher than the current figure of 2,715 suspected cases, as reports from some Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs) and Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) across affected communities had yet to be fully documented and integrated into the official data.
The report further revealed that the outbreak has now spread across 29 wards and 124 communities in Borno State, underscoring the speed with which the disease is spreading, especially in densely populated and vulnerable areas.
Of the 27 deaths recorded so far, 11 reportedly occurred within communities before victims could access medical attention, while 16 deaths were recorded in health facilities.
The high number of community deaths has raised concerns over delayed emergency response, inadequate access to healthcare facilities and poor awareness about early symptoms and treatment of cholera among residents.
Public health experts have repeatedly warned that overcrowded settlements, poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water and the onset of the rainy season could further worsen the outbreak if urgent containment measures are not intensified.
Efforts are reportedly ongoing by health authorities and humanitarian agencies to contain the spread of the disease through surveillance, case management, public sensitization and the distribution of medical supplies to affected areas.
However, according to Daily Trust, 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.