Bauchi declares cholera emergency after multiple deaths, 398 suspected cases

BY LUKA YELMI

Bauchi State has recorded 16 deaths following a cholera outbreak, with the State Government officially declaring the emergency after a surge in cases across 13 Local Government Areas.

The declaration was contained in a memo dated August 1, 2026 from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to donor partners. Signed by the Commissioner, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam.

The memo cited rising cases of Acute Watery Diarrhea and laboratory confirmation of cholera as the basis for the action in line with International Health Regulations and federal guidelines.

According to the ministry’s situation report as of July 31, 2026, the state has recorded 398 suspected cases with 16 fatalities, representing a case fatality rate of 4 percent.

Toro LGA is the worst hit with 231 cases. Other heavily affected areas are Alkaleri and Kirfi with 46 cases each, Ganjuwa with 21, and Bauchi and Tafawa Balewa LGAs with 14 cases each.

Laboratory tests have confirmed active transmission. Six PCR-confirmed cases of Vibrio cholerae 01 Ogawa have been identified, which together with the spread across multiple LGAs meets WHO and NCDC criteria for an official outbreak declaration.

The state government said it has activated a multisectoral response covering surveillance, case management, laboratory services, WASH, infection control, logistics, and community engagement. Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to affected LGAs and treatment centres have been strengthened with essential medical commodities.

In a parallel move, the Bauchi State Government and UNICEF trained Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Desk Officers from eight high-risk LGAs.

The workshop on Case Area Targeted Intervention was organized by the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWASSA, to improve preparedness and response.

UNICEF WASH Specialist, Bauchi Field Office, Nambam Dawap, said the training focuses on child survival in the first 1,000 days. She stressed that safe water, improved sanitation, and handwashing at critical times can cut disease risk by more than half, and urged an end to open defecation which spreads bacteria and viruses that cause cholera.

RUWASSA Director of Sanitation and Hygiene, Bala Zailani, said officers will step down the training in affected communities to curb spread.

He added that prevention kits and sensitization materials have also been sent to LGAs not yet affected to boost readiness.

Participants, including Hauwa and Ibrahim, commended the workshop as timely. The ministry has called on all stakeholders and development partners to mobilize resources and technical support for a coordinated response to contain the outbreak.