The Plateau State Government in North Central Nigeria has stepped up emergency.
The Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed this during a press briefing in Jos, where he provided an update on the outbreak and outlined measures being taken to contain its spread.
According to Ba’amlong, the outbreak was first confirmed in Mangu Local Government Area in June 2026 through laboratory stool culture. The confirmation prompted the Ministry of Health to activate a coordinated emergency response involving local government councils, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and other development partners.
Mr Ba’along said Mangu initially recorded 53 suspected cases, 10 Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT)-reactive cases, four laboratory-confirmed infections and five deaths across 18 communities in three wards as of June 12. However, by July 26, the figures had risen to 159 suspected cases and 10 deaths across 64 settlements in nine wards.
Despite the surge, the commissioner announced that there are currently no active cholera cases in Mangu, noting that the last reported infection was recorded on July 22, 2026.
Jos North has now become the epicentre of the outbreak, recording 277 suspected cases, seven RDT-reactive cases, one laboratory-confirmed case and four deaths across 61 settlements in 14 wards. Three patients remain on admission and are receiving treatment.
In Jos South, only one laboratory-confirmed case was reported, with the patient successfully treated and discharged. Barkin Ladi has recorded 23 suspected cases and two RDT-reactive cases since its first reported infection on July 15, with no deaths recorded.
Providing the statewide situation report, Ba’amlong said Plateau has so far recorded 441 suspected cholera cases, 20 RDT-reactive cases, six laboratory-confirmed infections and 14 deaths across four local government areas, 25 wards and 127 settlements.
He warned that although transmission has been halted in Mangu, the disease continues to spread 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 further spread, the state government has intensified surveillance through active case searches and expanded community-based monitoring for early detection and prompt reporting of suspected cases.
Health facilities across affected areas have been supplied with Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), intravenous fluids, antibiotics and other essential medical supplies. The government also plans to establish additional Oral Rehydration Points in Jos North while providing free or subsidised treatment for cholera patients at designated treatment centres.
In collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, healthcare workers in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Jos North are receiving additional training to strengthen cholera case management. Rapid Diagnostic Test kits have also been distributed to affected LGAs, while laboratory testing through stool culture has been reinforced to improve surveillance and guide public health interventions.
The commissioner said risk communication campaigns have been expanded through radio, television and community outreach programmes. Traditional rulers, religious leaders and community influencers have also been mobilised to encourage residents to seek prompt medical attention and avoid self-medication.
On water, sanitation and hygiene, the government has intensified household water treatment through boiling and chlorination, environmental sanitation campaigns, house-to-house hygiene education, monitoring of contaminated water sources and promotion of safe water storage and proper waste disposal.
Ba’amlong 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 develop sudden watery diarrhoea or vomiting.
He also called on public and private health facilities to promptly notify Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers of all suspected cholera cases to ensure swift investigation and response.
While expressing confidence that the outbreak can be contained, the commissioner stressed that sustained vigilance remains essential.
“The recent increase in cases across multiple LGAs highlights the need for sustained vigilance, early reporting and strong community participation,” he said.
Ba’amlong 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 brought under control. He also commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his continued support and leadership in the state’s response to the public health emergency.
