A SUSPECTED OUTBREAK of cerebrospinal meningitis in Kebbi State has claimed 26 lives, with health authorities racing to contain the disease and prevent further fatalities.
The outbreak, which has been confirmed in three Local Government Areas (LGAs)—Gwandu, Aliero, and Jega—has raised fresh concerns about Nigeria’s vulnerability to seasonal meningitis outbreaks.
The Explainer gathered that the Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Yanusa Ismail, disclosed the outbreak during a press conference in Birnin Kebbi, where he provided a breakdown of fatalities: 18 deaths in Gwandu, six in Jega, four in Aliero, and one in Argungu. He revealed that 248 suspected cases had been recorded so far, with 11 samples sent for laboratory testing. Of the samples analysed, three returned negative, while results for the remaining cases are still pending.
“Meningitis presents symptoms such as fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea, and sensitivity to light,” Ismail explained. “In week seven, we were saddled with the unfortunate situation of an outbreak, with a rising number of cases more than usual.”
To combat the outbreak, the state government has released ₦30 million for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies to affected areas. The Explainer gathered that isolation centres have been set up in Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero, where patients are receiving treatment.
The commissioner confirmed that the state is working in collaboration with international health organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), to manage the outbreak. Advocacy visits to key stakeholders have also been carried out to improve response efforts.
“Drugs and other commodities have been distributed to affected local government areas,” Ismail stated, urging residents to maintain personal hygiene and avoid crowded places to minimise exposure.
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A suspected case of meningitis was also detected at Aliero State University of Science and Technology, resulting in one death. The health commissioner confirmed the incident and advised university authorities to take immediate steps to decongest student hostels to prevent further spread.
Cerebrospinal meningitis remains a serious public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in the “meningitis belt,” which includes states in the northern region. The disease, caused by bacterial or viral infections, leads to inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. If not treated promptly, it can result in severe complications or death.
Nigeria has experienced multiple meningitis outbreaks in recent years. The Explainer recalls that In 2017, Nigeria experienced a significant meningitis outbreak affecting over 14,500 individuals across 25 states, resulting in more than 1,100 deaths. This outbreak was primarily due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C. In November 2019, the Nigerian government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched a large-scale vaccination campaign targeting over 28 million children in 19 northern states.
Experts have consistently called for proactive vaccination campaigns to curb the seasonal occurrence of the disease.
