The death toll from the ongoing cholera outbreak in Borno State has hit 74, with further increases in cases of residents affected by the disease.
More than 7,000 people have fallen ill, with 7,850 suspected cholera cases recorded across several affected communities.
The outbreak affects 14 local government areas of Borno State, with the first suspected case reported on 1 May 2026, and figures current as of June 9, 2026.
International medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which is supporting the Borno State Ministry of Health in managing the escalating situation, released a statement on Tuesday confirming a rising death toll. In its statement, MSF disclosed that it has treated 7,439 patients in its facilities, recording an average of 230 admissions daily, while 74 affected residents have died as of last night, June 8.
According to the health organisation, on June 5 alone, over 500 patients with acute watery diarrhoea arrived, the highest single-day figure since the response started.
“The state is experiencing a high influx of patients requiring urgent treatment, with numbers increasing each day,” the MSF statement said.
“Every day, we see more people arriving with severe watery diarrhoea and dehydration, many having travelled long distances to access care,” said Bienfait Tombola, MSF project medical coordinator.
Tombola added, “The collaboration between the Ministry of Health, MSF and other partners has enabled a rapid scale-up of several aspects of the response, but the continued rise in cases indicates that more must be done to prevent transmission and ensure people can access treatment early.”
He noted that while treatment remains vital, a planned cholera vaccination campaign by the Ministry of Health would help break the chain of transmission. “Sustainable improvements in access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene are equally critical to reducing transmission and preventing further surges in waterborne diseases.”