Nigeria is facing a rapidly surging cholera outbreak outpacing response capacity, with health facilities under increasing strain as cases continue to rise, according to a report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
More than 8,400 suspected cases and 85 deaths since May 2026 in Borno state alone. Plateau State is also seeing a gradual increase in cases with 53 reported cases and five deaths.
According to the report, health facilities, particularly in Maiduguri, are under significant strain due to a growing influx of patients presenting with acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration requiring urgent treatment.
The report noted that continued transmission is being driven by limited access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services in affected communities, particularly in densely populated areas.
While response efforts have been scaled up, including treatment, health promotion, water chlorination and surveillance, the report warned that the outbreak is outpacing capacity. It warned that the scale and speed of the surge continue to exceed the current response capacity. Related News Court orders INEC to deregister ADC, Accord, APP, AA, ZLP Price pressures return as headline inflation rises to 15.93% Reps extend 2025 capital budget implementation to September 30
