Kebbi confirms meningitis outbreak, says 26 deaths recorded
Sokoto State Government has alerted residents to the increasing cases of meningitis identified in some local councils of the state.

In a statement, yesterday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Umar Wurno, stressed the need for vigilance as laboratory investigations confirmed meningitis in most of the samples collected by the ministry.

Wurno said that the Ministry of Health had intensified efforts in surveillance, case management, and public health interventions to contain the disease’s spread.

He advised residents to take necessary precautions, such as seeking immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility if they experience symptoms like fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, or any unusual health conditions.

He also urged the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, avoid overcrowded places, and ensure proper ventilation in homes and public spaces.

RELATEDLY, the Kebbi State Government has confirmed that 26 people have died from a suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in Aliero, Gwandu, and Jega local councils.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Musa Ismaila, who confirmed this, yesterday, during a media briefing in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, said that 248 suspected cases were recorded.

He said the state government had approved N30 million for the procurement of drugs to contain the spread of the disease.

The commissioner urged the public to maintain personal hygiene and avoid crowded places to reduce the risk of infection.

He also confirmed that isolation centres had been set up to manage cases, adding that samples have been sent to Abuja for further testing, and if confirmed, the state government will request vaccines to prevent further spread.