Suliat Lawal
The Plateau State Government has confirmed 441 suspected cases of cholera, with 26 infections laboratory-confirmed and 14 deaths recorded since the outbreak began in June 2026.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed this on Monday in Jos while providing an update on the spread of the disease.
According to him, the outbreak has affected four local government areas—Mangu, Jos North, Jos South and Barkin Ladi.
Ba’amlong said the Ministry of Health had activated emergency response measures and remained on high alert to contain the disease.
He explained that the state government was working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, affected local government councils and development partners to strengthen surveillance, case management and other response activities.
The commissioner added that authorities had intensified community sensitisation through traditional rulers, religious leaders, community influencers and other stakeholders to educate residents on preventive measures.
He said awareness campaigns were also being disseminated through radio, television and community outreach programmes, urging residents to avoid self-medication and seek immediate medical attention whenever they develop symptoms associated with cholera.
Ba’amlong noted that the government and its partners had scaled up Water, Sanitation and Hygiene interventions across affected communities, including house-to-house hygiene education, monitoring of contaminated water sources and water treatment exercises.
He advised residents to drink only boiled, chlorinated or properly treated water, wash their hands regularly with soap and clean water, maintain good environmental sanitation, avoid open defecation and observe proper food hygiene.
The commissioner further urged anyone experiencing sudden watery diarrhoea or vomiting to report immediately to the nearest health facility for prompt treatment.
He also directed both public and private health facilities to promptly report suspected cholera cases to Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers to enable swift investigation and response.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to curbing the outbreak, Ba’amlong appealed to residents to cooperate with health authorities by strictly adhering to recommended preventive measures.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. Health experts say early treatment and improved hygiene remain critical to reducing fatalities during outbreaks.
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