The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba'amlong, disclosed on Monday that the state has recorded 441 suspected cholera cases, 26 laboratory-confirmed infections, and 14 deaths since the outbreak began in June 2026.
Providing an update in Jos, the commissioner said the affected areas include Mangu, Jos North, Jos South, and Barkin Ladi local government areas, where health authorities have stepped up surveillance and emergency response activities to curb further spread of the disease.
According to Ba'amlong, the Ministry of Health remains on high alert and has strengthened its emergency response mechanisms to ensure rapid detection, treatment, and containment of new cases.
He explained that the state government is working closely with the affected local government councils, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and development partners to intensify surveillance, case management, and public health interventions.
The commissioner said community engagement has also been expanded, with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community influencers, and other stakeholders mobilized to educate residents on preventive measures and encourage early reporting of symptoms.
He added that public awareness campaigns are being carried out through radio and television broadcasts, as well as community outreach programmes, while residents have been advised against self-medication and encouraged to seek immediate medical care if symptoms develop.
To curb the spread of the disease, Ba'amlong said the government and its partners have strengthened Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, including house-to-house hygiene education, monitoring of water sources, and treatment of contaminated water supplies.
He urged residents to protect themselves by drinking only boiled, chlorinated, or properly treated water, washing their hands regularly with soap and clean water, maintaining clean surroundings, avoiding open defecation, and ensuring food is prepared and handled hygienically.
The commissioner also advised anyone experiencing sudden watery diarrhoea or persistent vomiting to report immediately to the nearest health facility for prompt diagnosis and treatment, noting that early medical intervention can significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and death.
Ba'amlong further called on both public and private healthcare providers to promptly notify Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) of any suspected cholera cases to facilitate timely investigation and an effective public health response.
He reaffirmed the Plateau State Government's commitment to containing the outbreak and appealed to residents to cooperate fully with health authorities by adhering to recommended preventive measures and supporting ongoing response efforts.