No fewer than 26 people have died from a suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in Aliero, Gwandu, and Jega Local Government Areas of Kebbi State.
Cerebrospinal meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
It is usually caused by bacteria or viruses and can spread from person to person. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, and vomiting.
The state commissioner for health, Musa Ismaila, confirmed this during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
Ismaila also disclosed that 248 suspected meningitis cases were recorded.
He stated, “In week seven, we faced an outbreak with an unusually high number of cases. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea, and sensitivity to light.
“A total of 248 suspected cases were recorded, with 11 samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmation. Two samples—one from Jega and another from Gwandu—tested negative, while results for nine others are still pending.
“So far, 26 deaths have been recorded: 15 in Gwandu, 6 in Jega, 4 in Aliero, and 1 in Argungu.”
He also stated that the government, in partnership with the World Health Organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières, and UNICEF, has made advocacy visits to key stakeholders.
He went on to say that the state government had set aside N30 million to buy medications and other vital materials to help with response operations.
“Drugs and medical supplies have been distributed to affected areas, and isolation centres have been set up in Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero,” he said.
The commissioner asked the public to follow health recommendations and report any suspicious cases to the nearest health centre for early treatment.
