Fourteen residents have died from cholera in Plateau State, with the outbreak of the disease so far producing 441 suspected cases
Health officials express concern that transmission remains active in some communities despite progress in containing the disease.
However, authorities said ongoing interventions have significantly reduced the number of active patients.
Speaking on Monday, the Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed that the outbreak has also resulted in 20 positive Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) cases and six laboratory-confirmed infections through laboratory culture.
The commissioner explained that the outbreak has spread across 25 wards and 107 settlements, although only three patients are currently receiving treatment.
All three active cases, he noted, are receiving care in Jos North Local Government Area.
According to Ba’amlong, the outbreak was first identified in Mangu Local Government Area in early June 2026, prompting the Ministry of Health to launch a coordinated emergency response involving local councils, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and development partners.
He revealed that Mangu, regarded as the epicentre of the outbreak, recorded 53 suspected infections, including 10 positive RDT cases and four laboratory-confirmed cases.
The area also accounted for 10 of the 14 deaths recorded during the outbreak.
Ba’amlong added that Mangu has now recorded no active cholera case, with the last infection reported on July 22, 2026.
He further disclosed that Jos North has remained the most affected area in terms of infections, recording 277 suspected cases, seven positive RDT results, one laboratory-confirmed case and four fatalities across 14 wards and 61 settlements.
In Jos South Local Government Area, officials confirmed one laboratory-positive case, but the patient recovered after treatment and was discharged without any death.
Barkin Ladi, meanwhile, reported 23 suspected cases and two positive RDT results after its first case emerged on July 16, with no fatality recorded.
While acknowledging that transmission has been halted in Mangu, Ba’amlong cautioned that fresh infections are still being detected in Jos North, Jos South and Barkin Ladi.
“Although we have made encouraging progress in reducing active cases, transmission has not been completely interrupted in every affected community.
“Residents must remain vigilant and seek immediate medical care whenever symptoms appear,” the commissioner said.
Ba’amlong attributed many of the recorded deaths to delays in seeking treatment, stressing that prompt medical attention remains critical to improving survival rates among infected persons.
He said the state government has strengthened active case searches, expanded community surveillance, improved disease reporting and ensured adequate supplies of Oral Rehydration Salts, intravenous fluids, antibiotics and other essential medicines.
The commissioner also announced plans to establish additional Oral Rehydration Points in Jos North, while free or subsidised treatment continues at designated cholera treatment centres across affected areas.
According to him, healthcare workers in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Jos North are receiving specialised training with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.
Rapid Diagnostic Test kits have also been distributed to improve early detection, while laboratory testing through stool culture has been expanded to strengthen surveillance.
Ba’amlong said public awareness campaigns have equally been intensified through radio, television and community engagement involving traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders.
He added that residents are being encouraged to maintain proper hygiene, boil or chlorinate drinking water, improve environmental sanitation, avoid self-medication and promptly report suspected cholera cases.
The commissioner assured residents that the Plateau State Government would continue working with the NCDC, WHO, UNICEF and other partners until the outbreak was fully brought under control.