Nigeria: A cholera epidemic has killed 74 people since the beginning of May

A cholera epidemic that began in early May in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, has killed at least 74 people and infected more than 7,800. The outbreak has overwhelmed already fragile health systems in a region plagued by an Islamist insurgency for 17 years.

The humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) indicated that 7,850 suspected cases had been recorded in 14 local communities as of June 7, and according to the state Ministry of Health, the number of cases continues to increase sharply every day.

The northeastern region of Nigeria also faces massive population displacements and poor water and sanitation conditions, increasing the risk of wider spread if containment measures fail.

MSF, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health, has set up a cholera treatment center in the capital, Maiduguri, to support the response to the epidemic.

“Every day we see more people arriving with severe watery diarrhea and dehydration, many of whom have traveled long distances to get treatment,” said Bienfait Tombola, MSF’s medical coordinator for the emergency response project in Maiduguri.

MSF reported treating 7,439 patients, an average of about 230 admissions per day, with more than 500 cases recorded on June 5 alone, the highest number of admissions in a single day since the start of the intervention.

Cholera, a waterborne disease, spreads easily in areas where access to clean water and sanitation is lacking.

Authorities are planning a vaccination campaign, MSF said, while the humanitarian organization continues to strengthen its efforts in care, hygiene and surveillance to contain the epidemic.