Plateau State has confirmed 11 cases of cholera, with five fatalities and 53 suspected infections recorded in an ongoing outbreak affecting parts of Mangu Local Government Area.
The State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed this on Sunday in Jos, noting that the affected communities include Pushit, Mangu 1, and Mangu 2 wards.
According to him, the state Ministry of Health has intensified public health interventions to contain the outbreak, prevent further spread, and reduce its impact on affected communities.
He said response measures include the deployment of rapid response teams to affected areas, expansion of treatment and isolation centres, and the emergency supply of rapid diagnostic test kits, intravenous fluids, and essential medicines.
Baamlong added that the state has activated an Incident Management System (IMS) to coordinate a structured and multi-sectoral response to the outbreak.
He explained that the system ensures a coordinated, efficient, and accountable approach aligned with national and international public health emergency protocols.
The commissioner noted that cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
He urged residents of the affected and surrounding communities to adopt preventive measures, including drinking safe water, maintaining proper hand hygiene, avoiding open defecation, and ensuring proper waste disposal.
Baamlong also advised residents to report suspected cases promptly to the nearest health facility for immediate medical attention.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to safeguarding public health and called on development partners and stakeholders to support ongoing response efforts.
