A cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak in Kebbi State has resulted in 56 deaths across three local government areas, according to state health officials.
The Commissioner for Health, Yunusa Musa-Ismaila, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shehu Nuhu-Koko, confirmed the fatalities during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
The briefing was attended by representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Musa-Ismaila stated that the Public Health Department had received reports of individuals experiencing fever, severe headaches, neck stiffness, vomiting, and dizziness, with some cases resulting in death.
Following these reports, active surveillance was launched, and samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abuja for confirmation.
Meanwhile, affected patients were being treated at General Hospitals in Aliero, Jega, and Gwandu LGAs.
He revealed that 653 suspected cases had been recorded so far, with 17 samples sent to the NRL for testing. Out of these, five returned negative, while five tested positive—three in Aliero, one in Gwandu, and one in Jega.
All five positive patients were treated and discharged, while seven sample results are still pending.
The commissioner disclosed that 56 deaths had been reported: 25 in Gwandu, 16 in Jega, and 14 in Aliero.
To combat the outbreak, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare supplied 3,000 doses of cerebrospinal meningitis vaccines, which have been distributed to the most affected areas.
Vaccination efforts so far have covered 1,550 people in Aliero, including members of the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology community, 798 individuals in Gwandu, and 450 in Jega. The exercise will continue as soon as more vaccines arrive.
Musa-Ismaila also stated that the state government had allocated N30 million for the purchase of drugs and medical supplies to support response efforts.
Isolation centers have been set up in Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero, with additional medical supplies provided to the affected areas.
He urged residents to follow health guidelines and promptly report any suspected cases to the nearest medical facility for immediate intervention.
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