The Sokoto State Government has confirmed the death of 33 children following a fresh outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in parts of the state, as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
Gatekeepers News reports that the State Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar, disclosed the figures during an advocacy meeting with district heads on SARMAAN and MNTE, organised by the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with Sightsavers and the Chigari Foundation.
According to him, “no fewer than 256 suspected cases have been recorded across eight local government areas since the outbreak resurfaced about a month ago.”
He listed the affected areas as Sabon Birni, Wamakko, Shagari, Tambuwal, Dange Shuni, Kebbe, Bodinga, Gada, and Kware.
“Sabon Birni recorded the highest number with 63 cases, followed by Wamakko with 60, Shagari with 51, Tambuwal with 33, and Dange Shuni with 26. Kebbe reported 16 cases, while Bodinga, Gada and Kware recorded two, one and two cases respectively,” he said.
Dr. Abubakar explained that most of the deaths occurred in communities before victims could access healthcare facilities, attributing the situation to delayed treatment and misconceptions that the illness is spiritual rather than medical.
Health experts warn that cerebrospinal meningitis can progress rapidly, with symptoms including sudden fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, and convulsions. Without urgent treatment, it can lead to death within hours or result in permanent complications such as hearing loss, brain damage, or paralysis.
To contain the outbreak, the state government, in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), has established isolation centres at General Hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal, including separate wards for male and female patients.
The commissioner added that although about 20 laboratory samples have tested positive so far, patients who arrived early for treatment have shown good recovery, with no recent deaths recorded since intensified interventions began.
Authorities have continued to urge residents to seek immediate medical attention at the onset of symptoms and to disregard false beliefs about the disease, as efforts to curb the outbreak continue across affected communities.
