Gombe confirms cholera outbreak, treats 74 patients

The Gombe State Government has confirmed a cholera outbreak in Kedo village, Todi Ward, Billiri Local Government Area, following reports of diarrhoea and vomiting that led to the death of two residents on October 4. The state has treated and discharged 74 patients, with no active admission recorded as of Wednesday, October 21.

The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Adamu-Danladi Bojude, announced the outbreak during a media briefing in Gombe. He said the government had activated an Incident Management System at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate surveillance and response activities aimed at containing the disease.

Bojude explained that the state government immediately deployed a Rapid Response Team to support the Billiri Local Government health team. The team was mandated to investigate the outbreak, trace possible sources of infection, and provide free treatment to affected residents at the Primary Health Centre in Sheila.

According to the commissioner, 74 persons affected by the outbreak were treated and discharged. He added that no patient was currently on admission at the time of the briefing, describing the development as a positive sign in the state’s efforts to control the spread of the disease.

He said, “Since then, 74 persons were treated and discharged, and there is nobody currently on admission.”

The Gombe State Government said it had recorded seven consecutive days without a new cholera case as of October 21. The commissioner expressed optimism that the outbreak could be officially declared over if no additional case is reported by October 24, which would mark the tenth day without fresh infections.

Bojude said, “Today, being October 21, is day seven of zero cases reported. If by day 10, October 24, no case is reported, then this particular outbreak will be declared over.”

The declaration of the outbreak followed laboratory confirmation and epidemiological investigation of cases in Todi Ward. Health authorities are continuing surveillance in the affected community to detect any new symptoms early and prevent another wave of transmission.

The commissioner assured residents that treatment for suspected cholera cases would remain free at designated health facilities. He urged members of the public to cooperate with health workers, report symptoms promptly, and follow preventive measures to reduce the risk of further spread.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is commonly linked to the consumption of contaminated food or water and can become life-threatening when severe dehydration is not treated quickly.

Health experts advise residents to drink safe, treated water; wash hands regularly with soap; cook food thoroughly; avoid open defecation; and properly dispose of refuse. People experiencing sudden watery diarrhoea or vomiting are advised to seek medical attention immediately, as early rehydration can save lives.

The development in Gombe comes amid continued concern over cholera transmission in Nigeria. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has previously warned that rainy-season flooding, poor sanitation, and contaminated water sources can increase the risk of outbreaks across communities.

The NCDC has also stressed that cholera response requires coordinated action across health, water, sanitation, and hygiene sectors. Measures such as active case search, laboratory diagnosis, risk communication, provision of response commodities, and WASH interventions remain central to controlling outbreaks.

Residents of Billiri and surrounding communities are being encouraged to maintain safe hygiene practices and report suspected cases to the nearest health facility. The Gombe State Government says it will continue monitoring the situation until it is confident that transmission has fully stopped.

naijascope [email protected]