Save the Children Raises Alarm Over Growing Cholera Outbreak in Borno
Save the Children Nigeria has expressed concern over the worsening cholera outbreak in Borno State, describing it as a serious and fast-growing public health emergency that has infected more than 6,000 people and claimed dozens of lives within a few weeks. According to a report published on the organisation's official Facebook page, the outbreak began in Maiduguri in early May and has since spread to several local government areas, with women and children among the most affected.
By Abubakar Mala Gajibo
Save the Children Nigeria has expressed concern over the worsening cholera outbreak in Borno State, describing it as a serious and fast-growing public health emergency that has infected more than 6,000 people and claimed dozens of lives within a few weeks.
According to a report published on the organisation's official Facebook page, the outbreak began in Maiduguri in early May and has since spread to several local government areas, with women and children among the most affected.
The organisation noted that health facilities in the state are under pressure as increasing numbers of patients continue to seek treatment, warning that the situation could deteriorate further without urgent improvements in healthcare services, access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Save the Children stated that, in partnership with the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services and with support from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund through OCHA, it is operating a Cholera Treatment Centre in Konduga Local Government Area.
The organisation disclosed that more than 1,300 patients have received treatment at the facility since it commenced operations, while over 960 patients have been discharged. It added that the case fatality rate remains below one percent, indicating a high survival rate among those receiving care.
Save the Children commended the efforts of the Borno State Government in responding to the outbreak and acknowledged the support of humanitarian partners, including UNICEF, the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, Action Against Hunger, Lindi Peace Foundation, FRAD Foundation, and Malteser International.
The organisation called for increased support to expand healthcare services and improve access to clean water, while also advocating stronger community awareness campaigns on cholera prevention, early symptom recognition, and prompt treatment-seeking behaviour.
Save the Children emphasized that scaling up oral rehydration points in hotspot communities remains critical to containing the outbreak and preventing further loss of life
