Bauchi State has been grappling with a deadly cholera outbreak that has claimed the lives of 58 people and infected 258 others across 14 of its 20 local government areas. This alarming revelation was made by the Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, during the inauguration of the State Cholera Steering Committee and the State Technical Working Committee.
Addressing the crisis, Jatau stated, “These outbreaks are often preventable with timely interventions, coordinated responses, and sustained improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene. Bauchi State has recorded not less than 258 new cases and 58 fatalities.” He expressed the urgency of responding effectively to prevent further loss of life and curb the spread of the disease.
Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, can lead to death within hours if untreated. The disease is capable of spreading rapidly, especially in areas with inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
The establishment of the Cholera Steering Committee aims to coordinate efforts to tackle this ongoing outbreak, while also addressing long-term strategies to prevent future occurrences. Jatau emphasised that the committee would serve as the central coordinating body to guide the state’s multi-sectoral response to cholera, aligning with the National Cholera Control Plan and the objectives set by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The NCDC has previously reported a sharp increase in cholera cases across the country earlier this year, with infections rising by 75 per cent in the first few weeks of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. More concerningly, cholera-related deaths surged by 250 per cent in this timeframe, highlighting the need for a swift and coordinated national response to control the outbreak.
