Displaced persons fear an outbreak of cholera in Maiduguri camp but Borno State’s health director tells journalists that no cases of the life-threatening disease have been confirmed.

More than 1,200 people in the Damboa district of Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast have contracted malaria since the start of 2024.

And, as the rainy season – from July to October – sets in, healthcare workers expect the number of cases to escalate, not only in Damboa but also throughout the state.

Abbana Kolo, a healthcare worker in Damboa, said that there had been 1,206 cases of malaria recorded in the local government area since January. The majority of the cases were women.

“The breakdown of malaria cases recorded in Damboa are as follows; 786 women and 420 men. These are only cases of people who visited hospitals for proper medical treatment, so the actual figure could be much higher.”

Kolo said there were 15 health clinics within the Damboa district; two were owned and run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), one was private and the remaining 12 were government facilities.

“Many people do not go to hospitals for check-ups or treatment because there is a lack of public awareness about the dangers of life-threatening diseases, such as malaria.

“The rainy season is the worst time for malaria.”

Kolo said severe cases of malaria could result in death, particularly in children aged five years and younger.

He said the disease was not contagious and could not be spread from one person to another. It was preventable and curable if treated early.

Malaria is transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), malaria is highly endemic in Nigeria, with incidence and mortality rates the highest of any country in the world. People in the north and northeastern areas are most at risk.

The first symptoms usually begin within 10 to 15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. Fever, headache and chills are typically experienced, though these symptoms may be mild and difficult to recognise as malaria.

In malaria endemic areas, such as Nigeria, people who have developed partial immunity may become infected but experience no symptoms.

Infants and children under five years of age, pregnant women and patients with HIV/AIDS are at particular risk.

Without prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, a case of uncomplicated malaria can progress to a severe form, which is often fatal without treatment.

Kolo called on people, particularly pregnant women and nursing mothers, to protect themselves and their young children during the rainy season by taking preventive measures, such as sleeping under mosquito nets, staying away from contaminated water where mosquitoes breed and by keeping the environment sanitised.

In Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, internally displaced persons living in the Al-Maskin community camp have reported 15 suspected cases of cholera.

However, Dr Goni Imam, the director of public health, told reporters on Friday, July 5, that there were no confirmed cases of cholera in the state.

“In Borno we have not recorded any confirmed cases of cholera.

“There are some cases of diarrhoea and vomiting but evaluation and tests conducted turned out negative,” Imam said.

The state had activated its Public Health Emergency Operation Centre and a surveillance system was in place at state and local government levels.

Yagana Babagana Maidugu, a displaced woman who lives in Al-Maskin camp, told RNI that her child was vomiting and had diarrhoea.

“My child is vomiting. He has a headache and fever. And he also has diarrhoea. It has lasted for three days. I know these are symptoms of cholera. I am scared my child is very sick but we do not have a clinic or hospital within the camp so no one can confirm it is cholera.

“I can’t afford to take my child to a public or private hospital for proper medical treatment. I simply do not have money. I am praying to Allah.”

Aisha Usman, also a resident of Al-Maskin, said the toilets were dirty and there was no clean drinking water.

“My three-year-old daughter is vomiting severely. She has had diarrhoea for days. I want to take her to hospital for a proper medical examination but there is no facility in the camp. I do not have the means to take her to a public or private healthcare facility. I’m afraid her condition will get worse.”

Usman said several children in the camp had been ill with similar symptoms in the past month.

“Children – and some adults – have been vomiting. Many of them have diarrhoea. The number keeps growing every day. We are begging the government or a non-governmental organisation to intervene.”

Dan Ladi Musa, the chairman of Al-Maskin camp, told RNI that in the past two weeks, more than 15 people, mostly women and children, had fallen ill with suspected cholera.

“They all have symptoms. We suspect this is the beginning of an outbreak. Fortunately, no one has died.

“People in the camp are starving. It affects their immune systems. The toilets in the camp are not hygienic and there is no proper sanitation. It is particularly bad now in the rainy season.

“Urgent intervention is needed in case it turns out that there is an outbreak in the camp. We are begging the Borno State government to provide better basic services, as well as healthcare facilities.”

Health authorities declared a cholera outbreak in Lagos in mid-June when 436 suspected cases were reported. Six days later, there were more than 500 suspected and 43 confirmed cases, with a 5.4% case fatality rate.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It can kill within hours if left untreated.

The WHO described cholera as “a disease of poverty” that affects people with inadequate access to safe water and basic sanitation.

Prevention mostly consists of providing clean water and proper sanitation, as well as vaccination.

Severe cases need rapid treatment with intravenous fluids and antibiotics.

Health education and good food hygiene are essential.

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO