Cholera Outbreak In Plateau State Leaves 5 Dead, 53 Suspected Cases In Mangu LGA
Cholera outbreak in Plateau State leaves 5 dead, 53 suspected cases in Mangu LGA The Plateau State Government has intensified emergency public health measures following a cholera outbreak in Mangu Local Government Area, where five people have died and 53 suspected cases have been recorded across affected communities. Health authorities say the outbreak has spread across three wards in Mangu LGA, prompting urgent response efforts aimed at containing transmission and preventing further fatalities. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, said the rising number of infections and the spread across multiple communities required immediate and coordinated intervention. According to him, the state government has deployed Rapid Response Teams RRTs to affected areas, scaled up treatment and isolation facilities, and provided emergency medical supplies including intravenous fluids and diagnostic kits. He also confirmed that an Incident Management System IMS has been activated to coordinate the outbreak response across relevant health agencies. Baamlong explained that the system would ensure “coordinated, efficient, and accountable response activities” in line with national public health emergency protocols Authorities have urged residents in affected communities to adopt strict hygiene measures, including
- Drinking only safe and treated water
- Regular handwashing with soap
- Avoiding open defecation
- Proper waste disposal practices
- Seeking immediate medical care for symptoms such as acute diarrhoea and vomiting Health officials warned that cholera spreads rapidly in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water, especially during rainy seasons The outbreak has been confirmed in Pushit, Mangu 1 and Mangu 2 communities, with surveillance teams continuing active case tracking to identify new infections and prevent further spread. Officials say treatment centres have been strengthened, while surveillance and community awareness campaigns are ongoing in the affected areas. Cholera remains a recurring public health challenge in parts of Nigeria, particularly in areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation infrastructure. Health experts have repeatedly called for sustained investment in water, hygiene, and sanitation systems to reduce recurring outbreaks.
- 5 deaths confirmed
- 53 suspected cholera cases recorded
- Outbreak in Mangu LGA, Plateau State
- 3 wards affected
- Emergency response teams deployed
- Incident Management System activated
- Public urged to maintain hygiene and safe water use
