Borno State has continued to battle a worsening cholera outbreak, with health authorities confirming 274 new infections within the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of suspected cases to 4,204 across affected communities.
Officials also reported that the death toll has climbed to 39.
The update was provided on Tuesday by the Incident Manager at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Dr. Jacob Thlizer, during a sensitisation meeting on the prevention and treatment of acute watery diarrhoea held in Maiduguri. The session brought together stakeholders and representatives from 27 local government areas.
According to him, the new cases were recorded across 36 wards in seven heavily affected local government areas, including MMC, Jere, Konduga, Bama, Mafa, Kaga, Kwaya Kusar, Monguno, Magumeri and Ngala.
He gave a breakdown of infections by LGA, with Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) recording the highest figure at 2,404 cases, followed by Jere with 1,214 cases. Other figures include Konduga (275), Mafa (184), Monguno (90), Kaga (18), Bama (8), Kwaya Kusar (8), Magumeri (1) and Ngala (2).
Thlizer explained that emergency response measures have been activated to contain the outbreak. These include the Incident Management System (IMS), coordinated meetings with health partners, intensified public awareness campaigns in hotspot areas, and procurement of essential medical supplies.
He added that the state government is scaling up its response capacity in line with the growing caseload.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Shetima Muhammad, also confirmed that treatment centres have been established, including an emergency and infectious disease facility in Njimtilo and a 1,000-bed treatment camp in Ngarannam.
He further noted that Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has directed the distribution of drugs and medical consumables to designated treatment camps across the state.
Muhammad urged residents to maintain strict hygiene practices and to report any symptoms of cholera promptly to the nearest health facility.