NIGERIA: Kebbi Confirms 26 Deaths In Suspected Meningitis Outbreak

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Kebbi State Government has confirmed the deaths of 26 people following a suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in Aliero, Gwandu, and Jega local government areas.

Cerebrospinal meningitis, a life-threatening infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, can spread through close human contact.

Symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. If untreated, it can result in severe complications or death.

Speaking at a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Health, Musa Ismaila, disclosed that 248 suspected cases had been recorded so far.

“In week seven, we faced an outbreak with an unusually high number of cases. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea, and sensitivity to light,” Ismaila stated.

He revealed that 11 samples had been sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmation. While two samples from Jega and Gwandu tested negative, results for the remaining nine are still pending.

“Currently, 26 deaths have been recorded: 15 in Gwandu, six in Jega, four in Aliero, and one in Argungu,” he added.

In response to the outbreak, the state government has intensified efforts to curb the spread, working alongside the World Health Organisation (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, and UNICEF. Advocacy visits have been conducted with key stakeholders to enhance awareness and mobilize resources.

To support containment efforts, the state has allocated N30 million for the purchase of drugs and essential medical supplies.

Isolation centers have been established in Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero, with emergency medical teams deployed to affected areas.

Ismaila urged residents to adhere to health guidelines and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility for prompt intervention.