At least 34 people have died while 254 others have been infected following a meningitis outbreak across nine local government areas of Sokoto State, the state government has confirmed.
The Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar-Wurno, disclosed the development on Wednesday while briefing journalists, saying the outbreak has spread across several communities and prompted urgent intervention measures by the government.
According to the commissioner, many of the fatalities occurred before affected persons sought medical attention, as some residents reportedly attributed the illness to spiritual causes and mysterious circumstances, delaying treatment.
Abubakar-Wurno said the state government established isolation centres in Dogondaji and Kurawa communities located in Tambuwal and Sabon Birni LGAs to contain the spread of the disease.
He added that all 201 patients treated at government health facilities had successfully recovered and been discharged.
Providing a breakdown of affected areas, the commissioner said the outbreak recorded 26 cases in Dange-Shuni, 16 in Kebbe, 51 in Shagari, 34 in Tambuwal, 60 in Wamakko, 63 in Sabon Birni, two each in Bodinga and Kware, and one case in Gada LGA.
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He explained that laboratory investigations confirmed the presence of meningitis in the affected communities after samples were analysed.
“Four samples were sent for testing… while eight cases of meningitis from were confirmed,” he said.
The commissioner noted that children between the ages of one and 15 years were the most affected demographic, adding that overcrowded living conditions and extreme heat associated with the dry season significantly contributed to the spread of the disease.
To curb further transmission, the government has intensified public awareness campaigns, urging residents to sleep in well-ventilated environments and avoid overcrowded spaces.
Abubakar-Wurno also said the state had strengthened disease surveillance efforts through health officers, expanded laboratory capacity for quicker diagnosis, and ensured the provision of medications and medical support in affected communities.
Health experts have consistently warned that meningitis outbreaks are more common in northern Nigeria during the dry season, particularly within the “meningitis belt” stretching across parts of sub-Saharan Africa.