Far North: 754 cholera cases, 25 deaths recorded in one month.

The organisation said following reports of 24 suspected cases, including 15 positive cases, detected by Rapid Diagnostic Test, RDT, on July 26, Minawao Refugee Camp in the Far North Region, is facing an emerging cholera outbreak. 

The camp, hosting over 81,000 refugees, the agency revealed, is operating at approximately 325% of its intended capacity.

According to the report, rapid investigations identified a probable imported case, linked to a traveller from Banki, Nigeria; along with a second case associated with water from an unprotected well and several cases that suggest local transmission. 

The report said absence of epidemiological links between recently identified cases indicates multiple active transmission chains within the camp and urgent need for an immediate response. 

“The situation in Minawao is occurring within the context of a wider cholera outbreak affecting Cameroon's Far North Region. 

Since confirmation of the outbreak on June 29, transmission has expanded across nine health districts,” stated the report. 

The agency added that “as of July 26, 754 cases had been reported, including 130 patients receiving treatment and 28 laboratory-confirmed cases”.

It added that: “Twenty-five deaths have been recorded, resulting in a case fatality rate of 3.32%, more than three times the internationally accepted target of less than 1% for a well-managed cholera outbreak”. 

Response mechanism 

The organisation further revealed that the Regional Incident Management System for cholera has been activated at Level 1, with government authorities, UN agencies and humanitarian partners coordinating response activities. 

It also disclosed that limited treatment capacity, inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure, and delayed healthcare-seeking behavior continue to present significant challenges to outbreak containment, particularly within camp settings. 

“The detection of cholera cases within Minawao Refugee Camp has significantly increased humanitarian concerns, given the camp's severe overcrowding, inadequate sanitation infrastructure and high levels of population movement,” the report disclosed.  

Home to tens of thousands of refugees and operating well beyond its intended capacity, the report said the camp faces a heightened risk of rapid disease transmission and outbreak escalation. 

“…response capacity is already under strain, with temporary treatment units operating beyond capacity, while shortages of cholera beds, medical supplies, infection-prevention and control materials and trained personnel continue to constrain response efforts,” the report added. 

The organisation said significant gaps remain in access to safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, services, requiring urgent support to strengthen WASH infrastructure, expand hygiene promotion activities and scale up IPC measures. 

The outbreak is also placing increasing pressure on health services across the Far North region, with delayed healthcare-seeking behavior remaining a major concern, with more than half of patients presenting with severe dehydration. 

Stressing on the outbreak of children, the report said children represent a significant proportion of reported cases, further increasing concerns for vulnerable populations living in overcrowded conditions. 

The agency said treatment facilities are already operating beyond capacity, with response efforts limited by shortages of cholera beds, medical supplies, IPC materials and trained personnel. 

“Surveillance and community-alert mechanisms require strengthening, while inadequate WASH infrastructure continues to increase transmission risks within the camp and surrounding communities,” the group said.

It also mentioned need for additional staff, including three doctors, six nurses, 12 nursing assistants and 12 hygienists.

The agency said substantial operational gaps remain, and delays in the delivery of essential outbreak-response supplies could further hinder containment efforts. 

Responding to the detection of suspected RDT-positive cholera cases in Minawao Refugee Camp, the organisation said it prepared an emergency response targeting some 14,600 people to help contain the outbreak and reduce morbidity and mortality among refugee and host populations. 

“To strengthen case management, we are recruiting additional technical staff and procuring essential medical supplies and consumables. We also are supporting enhanced disease surveillance, community-alert systems and risk communication activities to improve early detection, timely referral and healthcare-seeking behavior,” it said. 

Given the heightened transmission risks associated with overcrowding and inadequate sanitation conditions, International Medical Corps added that it is prioritising emergency WASH interventions, including hygiene promotion, targeted disinfection of high-risk locations, strengthened IPC measures, and pre-positioning cholera treatment and prevention supplies. 

UNICEF report 

According to United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, Cholera outbreak remains active and continues to spread in the Far North Region. UNICEF said a case fatality rate of 3.25% and 172 cases are under treatment.

“Children and vulnerable populations remain disproportionately affected, with a median age of 24 years. Ongoing crossborder movements and limited access to safe water and sanitation continue to increase the risk of further transmission,” the UN agecy said. 

The organisation said it has activated a multisectoral response in support of government-led efforts, covering Health, WASH, SBC/AAP, Child Protection, Youth Engagement, and coordination, with additional flexible funding urgently required to rapidly scale up life-saving interventions, strengthen preparedness, and prevent further transmission. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3870 of Thursday August 06, 2026