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Cholera Outbreak Claims 13 Lives in Niger State as Government Opens Emergency Isolation Centres

In a renewed public health emergency, at least 13 people have died following a cholera outbreak that has swept through six local government areas in Niger State, Nigeria. The waterborne disease has also left 236 individuals hospitalized and receiving treatment across various healthcare facilities.

Deeply concerned by the growing toll, the Niger State Government has activated an emergency response by opening an isolation centre at the old wing of the Late Senator Idris Ibrahim Kuta Primary Healthcare Centre located along Old Airport Road in Minna. In addition, treatment and isolation centres have been set up across all affected local governments in a bid to curb the spread.

The outbreak, first reported on Sunday in Shiroro Local Government Area, has rapidly expanded to include five more councils. According to a health official who spoke to The PUNCH under anonymity, the worst-hit LGAs are Chanchaga, Bosso, Shiroro, Magama, Bida, and Munya. Over 239 people are currently receiving care across primary healthcare facilities in the affected zones.

Confirming the situation, Niger State Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, stated that the government had initiated a coordinated, multi-sectoral response to halt the epidemic in its tracks.

“We have set up treatment and isolation centres to mitigate the epidemic, and we are also embarking on aggressive sensitisation exercises,” he said.

The state’s public health campaign is being extended to religious organizations—including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Islamic bodies—as well as to the traditional institutions across the eight emirates of the state.

Dr. Dangana lauded Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his swift commitment to containing the outbreak, as well as donor agencies for their timely assistance.

Supporting the update, Dr. Ibrahim Idris, Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Tertiary Healthcare, also emphasized that Chanchaga, Bosso, and Shiroro remain the epicentres of the outbreak.

As cholera continues to pose a grave health threat, the state government urges residents to maintain strict hygiene practices, avoid unsafe water sources, and report symptoms early to health authorities.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna