On September 14, after cases were confirmed in seven local government areas, the Nigerian government declared a cholera outbreak in the northeastern state of Borno.
The extremely high rains over several months has caused flooding there and throughout Nigeria; this appears to be responsible for the rapid spread.
More than 5,000 cholera cases, including 178 fatalities, had been reported in Borno as of Oct. 5 according to the UN. The chance of contracting the intestinal ailment, causing diarrhoea and vomiting, is put at around one million people.
It is frequently transmitted by tainted food and drink, and if left untreated, it causes dehydration and death.