Bauchi State Declares Cholera Outbreak with 16 Deaths

The Bauchi State Government has officially declared a cholera outbreak following the confirmation of 16 deaths and 398 suspected cases of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) as of July 31, 2026. This declaration was communicated in a memo from the Bauchi State Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, dated August 1, 2026, and addressed to international donor partners.

The memo indicates that the outbreak is in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005) and national guidelines for cholera preparedness. The six most affected Local Government Areas (LGAs) include Toro, Alkaleri, Kirfi, Ganjuwa, Bauchi, and Tafawa Balewa.

In response to the outbreak, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Desk Officers from eight LGAs have been trained on effective preparedness and response strategies through a workshop organized by the Bauchi State Government in collaboration with UNICEF. Nambam Dawap, a WASH Specialist from UNICEF, emphasized the importance of addressing cholera risks, particularly for child survival during the critical first 1,000 days of life.