“Every Day, More Arrive”: MSF and Borno Health Ministry Race to Contain Cholera Surge as Cases Pass 7,800.

A cholera outbreak is spreading fast across Borno State, and health workers are struggling to keep up. Since early May, more than 7,000 people have fallen sick, and the number of patients arriving each day keeps climbing.

As of 7 June, the Borno State Ministry of Health has recorded 7,850 suspected cholera cases across 14 local government areas and 50 wards. So far, 74 deaths have been reported in both health facilities and communities.

In response, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is working side by side with the state Ministry of Health. On 7 May, they set up a Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC) in the Ngarannam area of Maiduguri. But the need has grown so fast that the centre has already expanded from 121 to 271 beds and more may be needed. MSF has also opened a new 20-bed treatment unit in the Dalaram area.

Between the two facilities, MSF has treated 7,439 patients since the response began an average of 230 admissions per day. On 5 June alone, over 500 people arrived with severe watery diarrhoea, the busiest single day so far.

“Every day, we see more people arriving with severe diarrhoea and dehydration. Many have walked long distances just to reach care,” said Bienfait Tombola, MSF’s medical coordinator for the surge response in Maiduguri. “The Ministry of Health, MSF, and other partners have scaled up quickly, but cases keep rising. We need to do more to stop transmission and help people get care earlier.”

Beyond treating patients, MSF is training healthcare workers, setting up oral rehydration points, running health awareness campaigns, supporting water chlorination, and improving referral systems so patients reach help in time. They’re also helping with disease surveillance.

Still, the outbreak is moving faster than the response. Cholera is preventable and treatable, but it thrives where clean water, sanitation, and health care are out of reach especially in informal settlements.

“Treatment saves lives, but a cholera vaccination campaign which the Ministry of Health is planning would help break the chains of transmission,” Tombola added. “And in the long run, real progress means better access to clean water and hygiene for everyone.”

MSF says it remains committed to supporting the Borno State Ministry of Health and other partners to save lives and get the outbreak under control.