Nigeria faces rapidly surging cholera cases outpacing response capacity — report

Nigeria is facing a rapidly surging cholera outbreak outpacing response capacity, with health facilities under increasing strain as cases continue to rise, according to a report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

More than 8,400 suspected cases and 85 deaths since May 2026 in Borno state alone. Plateau State is also seeing a gradual increase in cases with 53 reported cases and five deaths.

According to the report, health facilities, particularly in Maiduguri, are under significant strain due to a growing influx of patients presenting with acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration requiring urgent treatment.

The report noted that continued transmission is being driven by limited access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services in affected communities, particularly in densely populated areas.

While response efforts have been scaled up, including treatment, health promotion, water chlorination and surveillance, the report warned that the outbreak is outpacing capacity. It warned that the scale and speed of the surge continue to exceed the current response capacity.

“Every day, we see more people arriving with severe watery diarrhoea and dehydration,” Bienfait Tombola, MSF medical coordinator for the response in Maiduguri said.

He added that although coordination with health authorities has improved response efforts, stronger prevention measures are needed to reduce transmission and ensure earlier access to care.

The report noted that acute watery diarrhoea and related water-borne diseases are preventable and treatable, and they thrive in areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation services, hygiene infrastructure, and healthcare, particularly in informal settlements.

“While treatment is essential to save lives, a cholera vaccination is foreseen to be conducted by the Ministry of Health, and this would help cut the chains of transmission,” Tombola added.

“Sustainable improvements in access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene are equally critical to reducing transmission and preventing risks of continued surge in cases of waterborne diseases”, Tombola further said.