At least 74 dead, thousands infected in Nigeria cholera crisis

A cholera outbreak that began in early May in Nigeria's northeastern Borno State has killed at least 74 people and infected more than 7,800 others, placing severe pressure on local health facilities, humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said, Reuters reports.

According to MSF, 7,850 suspected cholera cases had been recorded across 14 local government areas as of June 7, citing figures from the Borno State Ministry of Health. The organization warned that infections are continuing to rise sharply each day.

The outbreak is straining an already fragile healthcare system in a region affected by a 17-year Islamist insurgency, large-scale displacement, and inadequate access to clean water and sanitation. Aid agencies have warned that the risk of further spread remains high if containment efforts falter.

Working in coordination with the state health ministry, MSF has established a cholera treatment center in the state capital, Maiduguri, to help manage the growing number of cases.

“Every day, we see more people arriving with severe watery diarrhoea and dehydration, many of whom have travelled long distances to reach care,” said Bienfait Tombola, MSF project medical coordinator for the emergency response in Maiduguri.

MSF said it has treated 7,439 patients since the outbreak began, averaging around 230 admissions per day. More than 500 cases were recorded on June 5 alone, marking the highest number of admissions in a single day since the response operation was launched.

Cholera is a waterborne disease that spreads rapidly in areas with limited access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities.

Authorities are preparing a vaccination campaign to help contain the outbreak, MSF said, while the organization continues to expand treatment services, hygiene measures, and disease surveillance efforts aimed at preventing further transmission.

By Vafa Guliyeva