According to the council about 10,000 have also been hospitalised in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states due to the epidemic.

In a statement released by its programme manager, Janet Chanero, NRC attributed the outbreak to congested internally displaced person camps and host communities. The council added that the congestion has made it difficult to provide hygiene services.

Chanero said there is a need for urgent improved hygiene facilities to curb the deadly outbreak.

" The number of displaced persons affected by cholera has shot up to 10,000. The disease is spreading quickly in congested IDP camps with limited access to proper sanitation facilities," she said.

Chenero called on authorities to provide more space in camps and host communities for the construction of water and sanitation facilities.