A cholera outbreak has been confirmed in Sokoto State, affecting 12 local government areas and prompting an urgent response from health authorities and international partners.
The state’s Ministry of Health announced the outbreak late last week, noting that cases had been reported in Binji, Dange-Shuni, Gada, Goronyo, Gwadabawa, Kebbe, Kware, Silame, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Tureta, and Wamakko. Officials said the spread was rapid but contained through early intervention.
Within 24 hours of notification, health workers were deployed to primary health centers across the affected districts. Emergency supplies, including rehydration salts and antibiotics, were distributed to stabilize patients and prevent further fatalities.
UNICEF, which has long supported Nigeria’s fight against waterborne diseases, commended Sokoto’s swift action. The agency provided drugs, consumables, and hygiene kits, while also launching awareness campaigns on safe water handling and sanitation.
Community sensitization has become a cornerstone of the response. Local leaders and volunteers are urging residents to boil water, wash hands frequently, and avoid open defecation — practices that remain common in rural areas and contribute to cholera’s persistence.
The outbreak underscores Nigeria’s vulnerability to seasonal epidemics. Heavy rains and flooding often contaminate water sources, creating conditions for cholera to spread quickly in communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
Officials say vaccination campaigns are being considered in high-risk areas. Oral cholera vaccines, already deployed in parts of northern Nigeria, could help reduce transmission if administered promptly.
Similar outbreaks have been reported elsewhere in Nigeria this year. Zamfara State recorded more than 6,400 suspected cases, accounting for nearly two‑thirds of the national total. Bayelsa and Niger States also reported hundreds of infections, underscoring the nationwide scale of the crisis.
The problem is not confined to Nigeria. Across Africa, health agencies say the continent is experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years, with more than 300,000 cases and 7,000 deaths in 2025. Countries including Angola, Burundi, Sudan, Kenya, and Malawi have all reported surges, driven by fragile water systems and conflict.
Civil society groups have urged the government to pair emergency measures with long-term investments. “We cannot continue to treat cholera as a seasonal crisis,” said Amina Bello, a health advocate in Sokoto. “We need infrastructure that ensures safe water year-round.”
Health workers on the ground described the situation as challenging but manageable. “We are stretched thin, but the supplies arrived quickly this time,” said Dr. Usman Ibrahim, a physician in Sokoto South. “That made all the difference in saving lives.”
