Plateau Records 441 Suspected Cholera Cases, 14 Deaths as Govt Steps Up Response

The Plateau State Government has confirmed 441 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across four Local Government Areas (LGAs) since the outbreak began in June 2026, prompting an expanded emergency response to curb further spread of the disease.

Speaking at a press briefing in Jos on Monday, Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba'amlong, said the infections have been recorded in Mangu, Jos North, Jos South and Barkin Ladi LGAs, with 20 Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) reactive cases and six laboratory-confirmed cases documented so far.

He noted that the outbreak has affected 25 wards and 127 settlements, though only three patients remain on admission, all in Jos North.

"As of today, Plateau State has recorded 441 suspected cases. Only three patients are currently on admission," the commissioner said, adding that the trend shows government interventions are yielding results.

The outbreak was first detected in Mangu LGA in early June, where 53 suspected cases and 10 RDT-positive results were initially recorded. Four cases were confirmed through stool culture, and 10 deaths occurred across nine wards and 64 settlements in that local government area alone, making it the epicentre of the early stages of the outbreak.

However, Ba'amlong announced that transmission in Mangu has since been interrupted, with the last case reported on July 22. "There is currently no active cholera case in Mangu," he said, describing it as an early sign that containment efforts in the area had worked.

Jos North remains the most affected LGA overall, with 277 suspected cases, seven RDT-reactive results, one laboratory-confirmed case and four deaths recorded across 61 settlements. Three patients are still receiving treatment there, government's only active cases at present.

Jos South, by contrast, has recorded just one confirmed case, with the patient already treated and discharged. Barkin Ladi reported its first case on July 16 and has since documented 23 suspected cases and two RDT-reactive results, with no deaths recorded in the LGA so far.

Ba'amlong said the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and local councils, has strengthened all pillars of the emergency response.

Key interventions include enhanced surveillance and active case searches across affected communities, alongside free or subsidised treatment at designated cholera treatment centres, with a continuous supply of oral rehydration salts (ORS), intravenous fluids, antibiotics and other essential commodities.

The response has also involved training healthcare workers in affected LGAs, distribution of RDT kits, and expanded laboratory stool-culture confirmation capacity, as well as intensive public awareness campaigns via radio, television and community outreach focused on household water treatment, environmental sanitation, and monitoring of contaminated water sources.

The commissioner emphasised that many of the fatalities recorded resulted from late presentation to health facilities, and urged residents to seek immediate medical care once symptoms such as sudden watery diarrhoea or vomiting occur, rather than waiting to see if the condition worsens on its own.

Ba'amlong appealed to the public to maintain strict hygiene practices, drink only treated water, cook food thoroughly and avoid open defecation, describing these as simple but critical steps that could significantly slow the spread of the disease.

He assured residents that the state government would sustain its collaboration with health partners until the outbreak is fully contained. "Cholera remains a serious public health concern. We will continue to strengthen surveillance, case management, laboratory services, risk communication, and WASH interventions until the outbreak is completely contained," he said.