By Obinna Uballa
A fresh cholera outbreak has left at least 58 people dead in Bauchi State, with health authorities struggling to save 258 others currently affected across 14 of the state’s 20 local government areas.
The Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, disclosed the figures while inaugurating the State Cholera Steering Committee and the State Technical Working Committee. He described the epidemic as a preventable tragedy that has persisted despite government interventions.
“These outbreaks are often preventable with timely interventions, coordinated responses, and sustained improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene,” Jatau said. “Bauchi State has recorded not less than 258 new cases and 58 fatalities.”
The deputy governor explained that the new steering committee will serve as the central coordinating body for the state’s multi-sectoral response to cholera outbreaks and help drive long-term prevention strategies. The effort, he added, aligns with the National Cholera Control Plan and the broader objectives of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Health experts warn that cholera, an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, can kill within hours if left untreated. While many cases remain mild or asymptomatic, the disease poses a major public health risk in communities with poor access to clean water and sanitation.
Nigeria has been experiencing a wider surge in cases this year. Data from the NCDC showed that between January 27 and February 2, 2025, the country recorded a 75 per cent rise in infections compared with the same period in 2024. Deaths within that five-week window also increased by 250 per cent, underscoring the severity of the outbreak.
