The Sokoto State Government has confirmed the death of 33 children following a renewed outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis in parts of the state.
Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar, disclosed the development during an advocacy meeting with district heads on SARMAAN and MNTE.
The meeting was organised by the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in partnership with Sightsavers and the Chigari Foundation.
According to the commissioner, at least 256 suspected cases have been recorded across eight local government areas since the outbreak resurfaced about a month ago.
“Sabon Birni recorded the highest number with 63 cases, followed by Wamakko with 60, Shagari with 51, Tambuwal with 33, and Dange Shuni with 26. Kebbe reported 16 cases, while Bodinga, Gada and Kware recorded two, one and two cases respectively,” he said.
Dr. Abubakar stated that many of the fatalities occurred before patients could reach health facilities, attributing the deaths to delayed medical intervention and misconceptions surrounding the illness.
He noted that some residents mistakenly believe the disease is spiritual rather than a serious medical emergency requiring urgent treatment.
Common symptoms of meningitis include sudden fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, confusion, sensitivity to light, and convulsions.
Health experts warn that untreated meningitis can lead to death within hours or result in long-term complications such as hearing loss, brain damage, or paralysis.
To contain the outbreak, the state government, in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières, established isolation centres at the General Hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal, with separate treatment wards for male and female patients.
The commissioner added that although only about 20 laboratory samples have so far tested positive, patients who arrived early for treatment have shown positive recovery outcomes.
He also noted that no recent deaths have been recorded since intensified interventions and response measures commenced.
Authorities have continued to urge residents to seek immediate medical attention once symptoms appear and to disregard misinformation surrounding the disease, as efforts to contain the outbreak continue.
