Rainy Season Intensifies Health Crisis in Zamfara State

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised alarms regarding the worsening health and humanitarian conditions in Zamfara State, Nigeria, due to the rainy season, which typically spans from May to September. The organization reports a surge in deadly outbreaks of malaria, cholera, and typhoid, alongside acute malnutrition affecting vulnerable communities.

Sani Adamu, a nurse managing an MSF hospital in Zamfara, explained that stagnant floodwaters create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to increased malaria cases, while contaminated water sources contribute to cholera and typhoid outbreaks. In 2025 alone, MSF treated 136,778 malaria patients and 13,877 cholera cases.

The organization also highlighted the severe burden of typhoid, particularly among children. MSF treated 60,566 malnourished children in Zamfara in 2025.

The rainy season coincides with the annual lean season, exacerbating food shortages and limiting healthcare access due to insecurity and damaged infrastructure. MSF calls for urgent preventive measures, including improved access to clean water and stronger vaccination campaigns.