The Kebbi State Government has confirmed that a suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis has claimed 26 lives across Aliero, Gwandu, and Jega local government areas.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Musa Ismaila, disclosed this during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
Cerebrospinal meningitis is a life-threatening infection that inflames the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
It is commonly caused by bacteria or viruses and can spread through human contact. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light.
Without timely medical intervention, the disease can lead to severe complications or death.
Providing an update on the situation, Ismaila revealed that 248 suspected cases have 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,” he stated.
He further explained that 11 samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmation. While initial test results from Jega and Gwandu came back negative, the remaining nine samples are still being analyzed.
“So far, 26 deaths have been recorded: 15 in Gwandu, 6 in Jega, 4 in Aliero, and 1 in Argungu,” he added.
In response to the crisis, the state government has partnered with the World Health Organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières, and UNICEF to engage key stakeholders in addressing the outbreak.
Ismaila also announced that N30 million has been allocated for the purchase of drugs and essential medical supplies.
“Drugs and medical supplies have been distributed to affected areas, and isolation centres have been set up in Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero,” he confirmed.
He urged the public to adhere to health guidelines and promptly report suspected cases to nearby health facilities for immediate medical attention.
