Nigeria's rainy season is here, bringing with it a deadly visitor: cholera. The water-borne disease has returned to Northern Nigeria with a vengeance, killing people and infecting thousands across Plateau and Borno states.
Borno is facing its worst cholera emergency in years. Médecins Sans Frontières data shows the state recorded 35 deaths and 3,646 new infections in just one week.
Between early May and June 9, the toll climbed higher. Borno documented 74 deaths and 7,850 suspected cases spread across 12 local government areas.
On June 5 alone, more than 500 suspected patients arrived at treatment facilities. It was the highest single-day admission since response efforts began.
Maiduguri city is ground zero. The capital accounts for more than half of all reported infections in the state.
Plateau State is dealing with a smaller outbreak. The disease is contained mainly to Mangu Local Government Area.
Health experts point to familiar culprits behind the spread. Poor access to clean water tops the list, alongside weak sanitation and inadequate hygiene practices.
Population displacement and fragile health infrastructure are also to blame. Unless prevention efforts intensify, more states could face outbreaks soon, they warn.
Monguno, a town in Borno, saw a particularly alarming spike. An internally displaced persons camp there recorded 296 suspected cases in just three days.
Between June 11 and June 13, patients flooded cholera treatment centres. On June 11, 48 cases arrived; June 12 brought 68; June 13 saw 180 admissions alone.
Most patients were women and children from IDP camps. About 90 percent of those treated came from displacement settlements, health workers confirmed.
Resources are stretched thin at treatment facilities. Staff say the surge of patients is straining available equipment and personnel.
One health worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said panic has gripped the community. "The influx from the camp has created serious worry," he told reporters.
Some infected persons didn't seek treatment in time. They self-medicated with drugs like Flagyl and tetracycline before dying at home.
According to health staff, roughly 90 percent of patients who arrived at centres survived. But delays cost lives when people stayed away initially.
One worker noted: "Some refused to come and died at home. They treated diarrhoea with ordinary drugs and eventually didn't make it."
Monguno has battled this outbreak for over a month. Despite state government and partner interventions, cases keep climbing.
Yagana Lawan's child fell ill suddenly. "He started vomiting and became very weak, then diarrhoea came," she recounted.
She rushed her son to General Hospital Monguno. Staff there referred him to the cholera treatment centre for proper care.
Health officials and local volunteers told reporters the situation remains urgent. Without sustained action, they fear cholera will spread to neighbouring areas.
