Since 1 May 2026, Borno State in northern Nigeria has experienced a rapidly evolving surge in suspected cholera cases. Despite significant scale-up of response efforts by MSF, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other actors, including local and international humanitarian organizations, the surge continues to outpace the response. The spread of the disease is being exacerbated by overcrowded informal settlements, where limited access to safe water, sanitation facilities and proper waste management increase the risk of transmission.



Since the first reported suspected cases on 1 May 2026, the cases have risen significantly.

In Borno State alone, more than 35,500 suspected cholera cases and 198 deaths had been reported by the State Ministry of Health as of 12 July 2026.



MSF, in close collaboration with the MoH and other partners, has expanded its response significantly since establishing a Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC) in Maiduguri on 7 May 2026 in response to the overwhelming needs. Since then, MSF has established six additional CTUs and 15 Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) in Borno State, whilst case-management for another CTC, in Monguno, commenced on 7 July 2026. As of 12 July, MSF had treated over 28,000 patients with suspected cholera in MSF-supported CTCs and CTUs. Nearly one quarter of admitted patients continue to present with severe symptoms.



Despite significant scale-up of response efforts by MSF, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other actors, the surge continues to outpace the response. The spread of the disease is being exacerbated by overcrowded informal settlements, where limited access to safe water, sanitation facilities and proper waste management increase the risk of transmission.