A fresh cholera outbreak in Plateau State has claimed five lives and infected dozens of residents in Mangu Local Government Area, triggering an emergency response by state health authorities amid fears of further community transmission.
The Plateau State Government confirmed on Monday that the outbreak has affected three wards — Pushit, Mangu 1, and Mangu 2 — with health officials warning that the disease is spreading beyond its initial scope. The outbreak, which began with only eight suspected cases, has rapidly escalated to 53 suspected infections within days.
Addressing journalists in Jos, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed that as of June 12, 2026, authorities had recorded 53 suspected cases, 10 Rapid Diagnostic Test-reactive cases, and four laboratory-confirmed cases through culture testing, alongside five deaths. The fatalities comprised four women and one man, representing a case fatality rate of 9.43 per cent. Reports of the outbreak and casualty figures have also been carried by local media.
Dr. Ba’amlong described the situation as grave but manageable, stressing that the rising number of infections and the spread across multiple communities require urgent and coordinated intervention.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. The situation demands immediate public health action to prevent further loss of life,” he said.
In response, the state government has activated its Incident Management System (IMS), an emergency coordination framework used in disease outbreak management. Dr. Maren Job has been appointed as Incident Manager to oversee containment operations across affected communities. Similar emergency structures have previously been deployed in Plateau during cholera outbreaks.
Health authorities have since deployed Rapid Response Teams, expanded treatment centres, intensified active case searches and contact tracing, and commenced emergency procurement of diagnostic kits, intravenous fluids, and essential medicines.
Community surveillance systems have also been strengthened to improve early detection and reporting of new infections.
Beyond medical interventions, the government, in collaboration with partners, has launched aggressive awareness campaigns promoting hand hygiene, safe water practices, and prompt medical attention for suspected cases. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community influencers have been mobilised to counter misinformation and encourage compliance with preventive measures.
Residents have been advised to boil or chlorinate drinking water, maintain environmental sanitation, and properly store household water supplies.
However, officials acknowledged that the response continues to face challenges, including shortages of rapid diagnostic kits, increased demand for treatment commodities, and logistical difficulties in accessing remote settlements.
The state government said it is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and other partners to strengthen containment efforts. Global health agencies have repeatedly warned that cholera remains a major public health threat, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean water.
Dr. Ba’amlong urged residents to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as severe watery diarrhoea and vomiting.
“Defeating cholera is a collective responsibility. We call on all residents to cooperate with health workers and strictly observe preventive measures,” he said.
The outbreak in Plateau comes amid renewed cholera concerns across parts of Nigeria, with several states reporting cases in recent months, underscoring the continued vulnerability of communities lacking adequate water and sanitation infrastructure.