The Sokoto State Government has confirmed the death of 33 children following a new outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in several parts of the state.
Health officials said the outbreak has continued to spread across multiple communities, with hundreds of suspected infections already recorded.
Cerebrospinal meningitis is a serious infection that affects the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord. The disease spreads more easily during hot and dry weather, especially in overcrowded areas with poor ventilation.
Northern Nigeria lies within Africa’s “meningitis belt,” a region that experiences frequent outbreaks of the disease.
The Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar, disclosed that 256 suspected cases have been reported in eight local government areas over the past month.
According to him, Sabon Birni recorded the highest number of cases with 63 infections, followed by Wamakko with 60, Shagari with 51, Tambuwal with 33, and Dange Shuni with 26 cases.
Other affected areas include Kebbe, Bodinga, Gada, and Kware.
The commissioner explained that many victims died before reaching hospitals because some residents delayed seeking treatment, believing the illness was caused by spiritual forces instead of a medical condition.
Symptoms of meningitis include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, confusion, sensitivity to light, and seizures.
Medical experts warn that the disease can become fatal within a short time if treatment is delayed and may also cause permanent complications such as hearing loss, brain damage, or paralysis.
To contain the outbreak, the state government partnered with Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, to establish isolation centres at general hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal.
Separate treatment wards were created for male and female patients.
Officials said patients who arrive early for treatment are responding positively, and recent interventions have reduced fatalities.
However, health workers at the Dogo Daji isolation centre confirmed that new cases are still being admitted daily.
A medical staff member at the facility said 22 patients are currently receiving treatment, while recovered patients are discharged regularly as fresh cases continue to arrive.
The source added that the increasing number of admissions may require the opening of another ward to separate female and child patients.
Healthcare workers at the centre include doctors, nurses, hygiene officers, and health educators.
Authorities said treatment remains completely free, including medication, feeding, transportation assistance, and sanitary supplies for patients.
Despite ongoing efforts, two additional deaths were recently recorded at the treatment facility, including a child under the age of five and another patient who died during transfer to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital after his condition worsened.
Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director of Specialists Hospital Sokoto, Attahiru Sokoto, said several meningitis patients earlier admitted at the hospital had recovered and been discharged.
Health authorities have urged residents to seek immediate medical attention once symptoms appear and to avoid misinformation as efforts continue to control the outbreak.
