At least 34 people have died while 254 others have been infected following a meningitis outbreak across nine local government areas of Sokoto State.
Faruk Abubakar-Wurno, commissioner for health, disclosed the development on Wednesday, warning that the outbreak had spread across several communities and triggered emergency response measures by the state government.
According to the commissioner, many of the deaths occurred in homes before medical intervention could be provided, as some residents reportedly linked the illness to spiritual causes or mysterious circumstances, delaying treatment and hospital visits.
Isolation centres have now been established in Dogondaji and Kurawa communities within Tambuwal and Sabon Birni LGAs.
Abubakar-Wurno said all 201 patients treated at government health facilities had been discharged.
The affected LGAs and number of recorded cases include Dange-Shuni with 26 cases, Kebbe with 16, Shagari with 51, Tambuwal with 34, Wamakko with 60, Sabon Birni with 63, while Bodinga and Kware recorded two cases each and Gada recorded one case.
The commissioner said laboratory testing confirmed the presence of meningitis in affected communities after samples were analysed.
He added that the government had intensified awareness campaigns, advising residents to sleep in well-ventilated spaces or outside crowded rooms, especially as extreme heat conditions could worsen the spread of the disease.
Children between the ages of one and 15 were identified as the most affected group, while overcrowding and dry seasonal winds were also blamed for increasing transmission risks across northern communities.
Abubakar-Wurno said the state government had strengthened disease surveillance, laboratory testing and medication supply as part of efforts to contain the outbreak.
