The Sokoto State Government has confirmed an outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis that has claimed the lives of 33 children across several communities in the state, as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the disease.
Cerebrospinal meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The disease spreads more easily during hot and dry seasons, especially in overcrowded areas with poor ventilation.
Sokoto State, like many parts of northern Nigeria, lies within Africa’s “meningitis belt,” a region known for recurring outbreaks of the disease.
The Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar, confirmed the outbreak during an advocacy meeting with district heads on SARMAAN and MNTE held on Wednesday. The meeting was organised by the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration 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 cases. Kebbe had 16 cases, while Bodinga, Gada, and Kware recorded two, one, and two cases respectively,” he said.
Abubakar explained that many of the deaths occurred in rural communities before victims could reach medical facilities, blaming delayed treatment and widespread misconceptions that the illness is spiritual rather than medical.
Symptoms of meningitis include sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, and convulsions. Health experts warn that delayed treatment can lead to death within hours or cause permanent complications such as hearing loss, brain damage, or paralysis.
To contain the outbreak, the state government, in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), established isolation centres with separate wards for male and female patients at the General Hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal.
Abubakar noted that although only about 20 laboratory samples have so far tested positive, patients brought in early have responded well to treatment, adding that no recent deaths have been recorded since intensified interventions began.
Meanwhile, a nurse at the Dogo Daji isolation centre, who spoke anonymously, disclosed that the outbreak remains active, with new patients still arriving daily.
“Every day, we discharge recovered patients, but new cases keep coming in. Two patients were discharged today, and two new admissions immediately replaced them,” the source said.
The nurse added that the facility currently operates two wards but may require an additional ward as admissions continue to increase.
“We may need another ward to separate female and pediatric patients because the cases are increasing,” he said.
He further commended the support at the centre, noting that doctors, nurses, health educators, and sanitation workers were fully engaged. According to him, treatment, feeding, medication, and transportation support are provided free of charge to confirmed patients.
“Patients do not pay for anything. Everything, including sanitary pads, is free,” he said.
Despite ongoing efforts, the facility recently recorded two deaths, including a child under five identified as Amir and another patient, Nura Jabo, who reportedly died while being transferred to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital after his condition deteriorated.
The Chief Medical Director of Specialists Hospital Sokoto, Dr. Attahiru Sokoto, also confirmed that the hospital had treated meningitis patients from the Badon Barade community in Wamakko Local Government Area about two weeks ago.
“All the patients admitted at our isolation centre were treated and discharged. As of now, we do not have any patient on admission,” he said.
Authorities have continued to urge residents to ignore misconceptions surrounding the disease and seek immediate medical attention once symptoms appear, as efforts to curb the outbreak continue across affected communities.