A cholera outbreak in Sokoto State has resulted in 25 deaths, with 15 individuals currently receiving treatment across three local government areas. The outbreak, which has affected a total of 1,160 people, was confirmed by the Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, during a press briefing on Monday.

The most affected areas are Sokoto North, Silame, and Kware local government areas, with Bazza and Gidadawa communities in Sokoto metropolis reporting the highest number of fatalities. Patients are still being treated at health centers in Bazza and Kofar Rini in Sokoto North LGA.

Balarabe disclosed that rescue teams, working alongside the state government, are actively managing the situation to curb the disease’s spread. “Out of the 1,160 reported cases, 25 people have succumbed to the disease,” she said, adding that free drugs have been distributed to 18 local government areas as part of the intervention strategy.

The Commissioner noted that 15 active cases were confirmed through laboratory testing and that health authorities are prioritizing treatment and prevention. Despite efforts, the healthcare sector in Sokoto faces challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and resources. However, Balarabe expressed hope for improvement under Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s administration, which recently recruited 864 nurses and midwives to address workforce shortages.

The state government’s swift response and collaboration with rescue teams aim to prevent further casualties and contain the outbreak, but the situation highlights the urgent need for strengthened healthcare infrastructure to tackle public health emergencies effectively.