26 people have died from suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in Aliero, Gwandu, and Jega Local Government Areas of Kebbi State.
The state’s commissioner for health, Yanusa Ismail, in a press briefing on Tuesday said the outbreak affected Gwandu, Aleiro, and Jega local government areas of the state.
According to him, 248 suspected cases have been recorded, with 11 samples taken for examination, out of which three have been confirmed negative.
Ismail added that the outbreak has resulted in 26 deaths.
Ismail said in response to the outbreak, the Kebbi state government has approved N30 million for the procurement of drugs to contain the spread of the disease.
He said isolation centres have been set up to manage cases.
The commissioner urged the public to maintain personal hygiene and avoid crowded places to reduce the risk of infection.
He added that samples have been sent to Abuja for further testing, and if confirmed, the state government will request vaccines to prevent further spread.
In Sokoto, Commissioner for Health, Faruk Wurno, confirmed the outbreak in a statement on Tuesday, March 11, through the ministry’s Information/Public Relations Officer, Nura Maikwanci.
He said laboratory tests identified several cases in the state.
Residents were further advised to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they experienced symptoms such as fever, severe headache, or neck stiffness.
“To curb its spread, the ministry has intensified surveillance, case management, and public health interventions.
“We call on residents to take preventive measures, including seeking immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, severe headache, or neck stiffness,” the statement added.
Wurno urged the public to report suspected cases to the nearest health facility, assuring that the state Governor Ahmed Aliyu had provided essential medications to health centres across the state.
Meningitis is a serious infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord and remains a major public health challenge.
The disease can be caused by different pathogens including bacteria, fungi, or viruses, but the highest global burden is seen with bacterial meningitis.
It is transmitted from person-to-person through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions from the carrier.
Common signs and symptoms are fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, neck stiffness, and altered consciousness levels.
