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Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised the alarm about a surge in cholera cases in Borno State, warning that health facilities are struggling to cope with the rising number of patients.
In a statement issued by its Field Communication Officer (Press), Abdulkareem Yakubu, the organisation said the disease continues to spread rapidly, placing immense pressure on treatment centres.
Cholera is a bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated food or water. It causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration and can be fatal if left untreated.
According to MSF, the Borno State Ministry of Health had recorded more than 35,500 suspected cholera cases and 198 deaths as of July 12, 2026.
Yakubu said increasing numbers of patients with suspected cholera are being admitted to Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs) in Maiduguri after presenting symptoms later confirmed as cholera.
Among them is 13-year-old Muhammad Usman, who was rushed to a treatment facility after developing severe symptoms.
“He started vomiting, had diarrhoea and complained of stomach pain. Later, he lost consciousness. We realised it could be cholera,” said Hadiza Ali, Muhammad’s mother.
Yakubu said MSF is currently supporting two Cholera Treatment Centres and five Cholera Treatment Units, providing inpatient care for patients with severe symptoms across affected communities.
He added that the organisation also operates 17 Oral Rehydration Points, allowing patients to receive treatment closer to their communities while reducing pressure on overstretched health facilities.
According to him, MSF, in collaboration with government health authorities and humanitarian partners, had treated more than 24,000 patients with suspected cholera as of July 12.
“We have significantly expanded our response over the past two months, but the transmission is still spreading faster than efforts to contain it,” said Bienfait Tombola, MSF Project Medical Coordinator in Maiduguri.
He added that the continued spread of the disease is being fuelled by limited access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare services in affected communities.
