JOS, Plateau State — A cholera outbreak in Plateau State has claimed the lives of five people, with 11 confirmed cases recorded across affected communities, health authorities have confirmed, prompting urgent containment measures by the state government.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cletus Shurkuk, disclosed the figures in a statement issued on Monday in Jos. He explained that the outbreak was detected following reports of acute watery diarrhoea and dehydration in several local government areas, with laboratory tests confirming the presence of Vibrio cholerae in samples taken from affected patients.
According to the commissioner, the confirmed cases and deaths were recorded between May 28 and June 14, 2026. He identified the affected local government areas as Jos North, Jos South, and Bassa, all of which have historically recorded cholera outbreaks during the rainy season when flooding and poor sanitation exacerbate the spread of waterborne diseases.
Dr. Shurkuk stated that the state Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Plateau State Primary Health Care Board and international partners, has activated an emergency response team to contain the spread of the disease. Measures deployed include case management, contact tracing, public health education, and distribution of water purification tablets to high-risk communities.
The commissioner also disclosed that oral rehydration points have been established in affected communities to ensure that patients showing early symptoms can receive immediate care before being referred to designated treatment centres. He urged residents to report any cases of severe diarrhoea, vomiting, or dehydration to the nearest health facility without delay.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has directed the release of emergency funds to support the response efforts, including the procurement of medical supplies, antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and water testing kits. The governor also instructed environmental health officers to intensify inspections of water sources, markets, and food vending points across the state.
The Plateau State Government has issued a public health advisory urging residents to take preventive measures seriously. These include boiling or treating drinking water before consumption, washing hands thoroughly with soap and running water, properly cooking food, and maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene.
Health officials have also advised residents to avoid open defecation, which contaminates water sources and contributes to the spread of cholera. Communities have been encouraged to construct and use proper toilets, as well as to cover food and water containers to prevent contamination by flies and other vectors.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have pledged technical support to the Plateau State Government in its response efforts. The agencies have deployed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) experts to assist with surveillance, risk communication, and community engagement.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The disease has an incubation period of between 12 hours and five days and can be fatal within hours if untreated. However, prompt administration of oral rehydration salts or intravenous fluids can reduce mortality rates to less than one percent.
Plateau State has experienced recurrent cholera outbreaks in recent years, particularly during the rainy season from May to October. The state government has faced criticism over inadequate investment in water infrastructure and sanitation facilities, which many experts argue are the root causes of repeated outbreaks.
Civil society organisations working in public health have called on the government to prioritise long-term solutions such as the provision of clean piped water, rehabilitation of boreholes, and construction of modern sanitation facilities in rural communities. They argue that emergency responses alone cannot break the cycle of annual outbreaks.
As the rainy season continues, health workers remain on high alert across Plateau State. The message from health authorities is clear: cholera is preventable, and every citizen has a role to play in stopping its spread. For now, the focus is on containing the current outbreak while preparing for the possibility of more cases in the weeks ahead.
