The government says, the official declaration will enable the state and its partners to mobilise adequate resources, for a comprehensive response.

The commissioner of health, Haruna Mshelia who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri the state capital, explained that the outbreak is presently concentrated in Madinatu and Elmiskin internally displaced persons camps, and Bolori ward, in Maiduguri, and the suburbs.

He said suspected cases have also been recently reported from Kaga local government area, Konduga, Magumeri, old Maiduguri, Chibok, Damboa, Shani and Jere local government areas.

Haruna Mshelia said, government has activated, full emergency response. 

Before the official confirmation of cholera, Mshelia had reported the outbreak of, what he called, acute watery diarrhoea, which he then said, samples were undergoing laboratory tests.

He had blamed the disease on failure of clean water, sanitation and hygiene.