Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria: 5,260 Cases, 67 Deaths Recorded

As of May 31, 2026, Nigeria has recorded 5,260 suspected cholera cases and 67 deaths across 128 local government areas in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The outbreak has seen a 73% increase in suspected cases compared to the previous year, with children under five years old being the most affected demographic.

Borno State alone accounts for 4,510 of the suspected cases, representing 86% of the national caseload, with Maiduguri, the state capital, recording 2,706 cases. The case fatality rate in Borno is 0.9%, below the World Health Organization's emergency benchmark.

The ongoing rainy season raises concerns for further transmission due to potential contamination of water sources. Public health experts attribute the outbreak to poor access to safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation systems, exacerbating the vulnerability of children to severe dehydration caused by cholera.