Cholera Outbreak Claims 279 Lives in Niger State

By David Odama

Niger State is grappling with a deadly cholera outbreak that has claimed 279 lives across six of its 25 Local Government Areas as of Thursday, just hours after initial reports surfaced.

In response to the escalating crisis, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has pledged to provide essential medical supplies to the affected areas to help contain the spread of the disease.

UNICEF’s Chief of Kaduna Field Office, Dr. Gerida Birukila, made this known during a visit to the isolation centre located at the old wing of the late Senator Idris Ibrahim Kuta Primary Health Care (PHC) Centre along Old Airport Road in Minna.

While the centre has been operational, Dr. Birukila said UNICEF is reinforcing the facility to meet standard requirements for effective cholera treatment. She added that UNICEF will collaborate with the Niger State Government and other partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), to curb the outbreak.

“As of today (Thursday), available records show that the majority of deaths are children. Children also account for most of the 297 suspected cases recorded so far,” she said.

Dr. Birukila further revealed that four new patients had just been admitted, while 23 others across various LGAs are currently under observation, with some testing positive and others negative for cholera.

UNICEF Health Specialist for the Kaduna Field Office, Dr. Sule Mele, said the outbreak was first detected two weeks ago within Minna metropolis — specifically in Chanchaga and Bosso LGAs — before spreading to four additional LGAs.

“We currently have over 200 suspected cases, with 50 percent testing positive through rapid diagnostic tests. There is a likelihood of more cases emerging,” Dr. Mele stated.

He added that UNICEF is intensifying public sensitization efforts and managing confirmed and suspected cases by isolating and treating patients. The agency has already donated essential medical supplies and is preparing to establish cholera treatment units in all affected LGAs to avoid overburdening the existing facility in Minna.

Dr. Ibrahim Idris, Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health in Niger State, lauded UNICEF’s swift intervention. He disclosed that the state government has established additional treatment and isolation centres and is actively engaging communities to raise awareness on prevention and control measures.