Plateau Steps Up Cholera Response As Outbreak Claims 14 Lives

The Plateau State Government has intensified emergency response measures to contain a cholera outbreak that has claimed 14 lives and spread across four local government areas.

So far, within two months, 441 suspected cases have been recorded in 127 settlements across the state.

The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Jos, where he gave an update on the outbreak and outlined measures being implemented to halt further transmission.

Ba’amlong said the outbreak was first confirmed in Mangu Local Government Area in June 2026 through laboratory stool culture, prompting the Ministry of Health to activate a coordinated multisectoral emergency response in collaboration with local government councils, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and development partners.

He recalled that as of June 12, Mangu had recorded 53 suspected cases, 10 Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT)-reactive cases, four laboratory-confirmed infections and five deaths across 18 communities in three wards. However, by July 26, the figures had increased to 159 suspected cases and 10 deaths, affecting 64 settlements in nine wards.

The commissioner, however, announced a breakthrough in Mangu, saying there were no longer any active cholera cases in the area.

“It is encouraging to note that there is currently no active cholera case in Mangu Local Government Area, with the last reported case recorded on July 22, 2026,” he said.

According to him, Jos North has emerged as the most affected local government area by case count, recording 277 suspected cases, seven RDT-reactive cases, one laboratory-confirmed case and four deaths across 61 settlements in 14 wards. Three patients are currently on admission and receiving treatment.

In Jos South, he said only one laboratory-confirmed case was recorded, adding that the patient had been successfully treated and discharged. Barkin Ladi, where the first case was reported on July 15, has so far recorded 23 suspected cases and two RDT-reactive cases, with no deaths.

Giving the statewide situation report, Ba’amlong said Plateau has recorded 441 suspected cholera cases, 20 RDT-reactive cases, six laboratory-confirmed cases and 14 deaths across four local government areas, 25 wards and 127 settlements.

He warned that despite the success recorded in Mangu, the outbreak remains a major public health concern because transmission continues in other affected areas.

“The epidemiological situation indicates that although transmission has been interrupted in Mangu Local Government Area, cholera continues to spread across other affected LGAs. The outbreak demonstrates continued geographic expansion, sustained community transmission, preventable loss of lives due to delayed presentation to health facilities, and the need for sustained surveillance and community participation,” he said.

To curb the outbreak, the commissioner said the state government had intensified surveillance through active case searches and expanded community-based monitoring to ensure early detection and prompt reporting of suspected cases.

He said health facilities had been supplied with Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), intravenous fluids, antibiotics and other essential commodities, while plans were underway to establish additional Oral Rehydration Points in Jos North.

According to him, the government is also providing free or subsidised treatment for cholera patients at designated treatment centres and, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is training healthcare workers in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Jos North to strengthen case management.

Ba’amlong further disclosed that Rapid Diagnostic Test kits had been distributed to affected local government areas while laboratory confirmation through stool culture had been strengthened to improve surveillance and guide public health interventions.

He said risk communication teams were carrying out intensive public sensitisation campaigns through radio, television and community outreach, while traditional rulers, religious leaders and community influencers had been mobilised to encourage early health-seeking behaviour and discourage self-medication.

On water, sanitation and hygiene interventions, the commissioner said the government and its partners had intensified household water treatment through boiling and chlorination, environmental sanitation campaigns, house-to-house hygiene education, monitoring of contaminated water sources, and the promotion of safe water storage and proper waste disposal.

He urged residents to drink only boiled or treated water, wash their hands regularly with soap and clean water, maintain proper environmental sanitation, avoid open defecation, and report immediately to the nearest health facility if they experience sudden watery diarrhoea or vomiting.

The commissioner also called on public and private health facilities to promptly notify Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers of all suspected cholera cases to facilitate timely investigation and response.

While expressing optimism that the outbreak could be contained, Ba’amlong stressed that sustained vigilance remained critical.

“While significant progress has been made in controlling the outbreak in Mangu Local Government Area, cholera remains a serious public health concern in Plateau State. The recent increase in cases across multiple LGAs highlights the need for sustained vigilance, early reporting and strong community participation,” he said.

The commissioner reaffirmed the Plateau State Government’s commitment to strengthening surveillance, case management, laboratory services, risk communication and water, sanitation and hygiene interventions until the outbreak is fully contained. He also commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his continued support and leadership in the state’s response to the public health emergency.