The Gombe State Government has declared an outbreak of cholera in Billiri Local Government Area following two reported deaths caused by diarrhoea and vomiting.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Adamu-Danladi Bojude, confirmed the development during a media briefing in Gombe on Wednesday, disclosing that the fatalities occurred on October 4 in Kedo village, Todi Ward. He revealed that medical teams have successfully treated and discharged 74 affected patients at the Primary Health Centre in Sheila, with no admissions currently in the facility.
Prof. Bojude stated that as of October 21, the state has recorded seven consecutive days without a single new case, adding that the outbreak will be officially declared over if the status quo is maintained through October 24.
“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 commissioner stated.
The commissioner stated that the state government immediately deployed a Rapid Response Team to assist the local health personnel in investigating the outbreak and providing free medical treatment to affected residents.
“In the light of the above, I hereby declare the outbreak of cholera in Todi Ward of Billiri LGA. I have activated an Incident Management System at the PHEOC with full responsibilities for surveillance and effective response aimed at controlling the outbreak”, Bojude said.
Bojude also mentioned that Gombe has sustained an annual cholera prevention plan since 2023 in collaboration with the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) and international development partners. The initiative covers more than 150 identified cholera hotspots across the 11 local government areas of the state, reducing overall transmission, although unclassified settlements occasionally record isolated cases.
The commissioner emphasized that cholera is a bacterial infection transmitted through water or food contaminated with Vibrio cholerae, warning that the disease can become fatal within hours if patients do not receive quick medical intervention.
Prof. Bojude advised residents to maintain strict personal, food, and environmental hygiene, and to report suspected cases to the nearest health facility for free medical care.
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