Plateau Records 14 Cholera Deaths, 441 Suspected Cases

Plateau State Government on Monday said it had recorded 441 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across four local government areas since the outbreak of the disease in June, even as it intensified emergency response measures to curb further spread.

The state Commissioner of Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, gave the update in Jos and said the state had also confirmed 20 positive Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) cases and six laboratory-confirmed cases through culture, with infections affecting 25 wards and 107 settlements.

He disclosed that only three patients remain on admission, all in Jos North Local Government Area, describing the development as an indication that the government’s interventions were yielding results.

According to him, the outbreak was first detected in Mangu Local Government Area in early June 2026, prompting the Ministry of Health to activate a coordinated multi-sectoral emergency response in collaboration with local government councils, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and development partners.

He said Mangu, the epicentre of the outbreak, recorded 53 suspected cases, with 10 testing positive through Rapid Diagnostic Tests and four confirmed by laboratory culture. At the same time, 10 deaths were reported across nine wards and 64 settlements.

Ba’amlong noted that there are currently no active cholera cases in Mangu, with the last reported case on 22 July 2026.

He further disclosed that Jos North LGA has recorded 277 suspected cases, 7 positive Rapid Diagnostic Tests, 1 laboratory-confirmed case, and 4 deaths, affecting 61 settlements across 14 wards.

In Jos South Local Government Area, the commissioner said only one confirmed case had been recorded, adding that the patient had been successfully treated and discharged, with no fatalities.

He added that Barkin Ladi Local Government Area recorded its first case on 16 July, with 23 suspected cases, two positive Rapid Diagnostic Tests, no laboratory-confirmed case, and no death reported, while two settlements in one ward have been affected.

Although transmission has been interrupted in Mangu, Ba’amlong warned that infections were still being recorded in Jos North, Jos South and Barkin Ladi, indicating continued transmission in some communities.

He attributed many of the fatalities to late presentation at health facilities, urging residents to seek immediate medical attention whenever symptoms of cholera are noticed.

The commissioner said the government has intensified active case searches, expanded community surveillance, strengthened disease reporting across health facilities and ensured the continuous availability of Oral Rehydration Salts, intravenous fluids, antibiotics and other essential medical supplies.

According to him, additional Oral Rehydration Points will be established in Jos North, while free or subsidised treatment is being provided at designated cholera treatment centres.

Ba’amlong said healthcare workers in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Jos North were being trained with the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF. At the same time, Rapid Diagnostic Test kits had been distributed to all affected local government areas to improve early detection.

He added that laboratory confirmation through stool culture has been strengthened to enhance surveillance and guide public health interventions.

The commissioner further said the government had intensified public awareness campaigns through radio, television and community outreach programmes, engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community influencers to educate residents on preventive measures.

He said authorities were also promoting early healthcare-seeking behaviour, discouraging self-medication, intensifying household water treatment through boiling and chlorination, strengthening environmental sanitation campaigns and monitoring contaminated water sources to prevent further transmission.

Ba’amlong assured residents that the state government would sustain its collaboration with the NCDC, WHO, UNICEF and other development partners until the outbreak is fully contained, urging the public to maintain proper hygiene, drink safe water and report suspected cases promptly.