Meningitis Kills 33 Children In Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government has confirmed the death of 33 children following an outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in parts of the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, spoke on Wednesday during an advocacy meeting with district heads on  Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin in Children (SARMAAN) and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE).

The meeting was organised by the state’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with Sightsavers and the Chigari Foundation.

According to the commissioner, 256 suspected cases have been recorded across eight local government areas of the state since the disease resurfaced about a month ago.

Daily Trust had reported that residents of Kurawa village in Sabon Birni LGA had raised the alarm over a suspected outbreak of meningitis, which they said mostly affected children and teenagers.

Sources from the village’s health facility had also told our correspondent that the situation had worsened, with about two to three deaths recorded daily, mostly among people aged between two and 20 years.

They noted that many of the victims died before the illness was properly diagnosed, adding that residents were later advised to avoid sleeping in enclosed rooms due to the prevailing heat conditions.

Residents described symptoms including unconsciousness, severe neck pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, high fever and, in some cases, foaming from the mouth, all consistent with meningitis.

During the Wednesday meeting, Dr Abubakar confirmed the outbreak, saying Sabon Birni tops the list with 63 cases, followed by Wamakko (60), Shagari (51), Tambuwal (33), and Dange Shuni (26). Kebbe recorded 16 cases, while Bodinga, Gada, and Kware reported two, one, and two cases, respectively.

The health commissioner noted that most fatalities occurred within communities before patients were taken to health facilities.

He attributed this to delayed health-seeking behaviour, often driven by misconceptions that the illness has spiritual causes rather than being a medical emergency.

To contain the outbreak, the state government, in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), established isolation centres at general hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal, with separate wards for male and female patients.

He added that while only about 20 samples have tested positive for meningitis so far, patients admitted early have responded well to treatment, with no recent deaths recorded since intensified interventions began.

More people hospitalised

However, firsthand accounts from the Dogo Daji isolation centre suggest that the situation remains critical. A nursing staff member at the facility, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, revealed that the centre currently has 22 patients on admission.

“We are discharging those who have fully recovered. Even today, we discharged two patients, but they were immediately replaced as we received two new cases,” the staff member said.

He explained that the centre operates two wards—one for male patients and another for females and paediatric cases—but noted that increasing admissions may soon necessitate expansion.

“The cases are increasing. In fact, we are considering opening an additional ward to separate female and paediatric patients,” he added.

The nurse also highlighted the level of support available at the facility, stating that adequate medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, health promoters, and hygiene experts, are on the ground.

He emphasised that free treatment is provided, with patients receiving medications, feeding, and even transportation support once their cases are confirmed.

“Patients do not pay for anything. Everything is provided free, including sanitary pads,” he said.

Despite these efforts, the centre recorded two recent deaths. One was a boy under the age of five identified as Amir, while the other, Nura Jabo from Jabo town, died while being referred to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) after his condition worsened, Daily Trust gathered.

The Chief Medical Director of Specialists Hospital, Sokoto, Dr. Attahiru Sokoto, confirmed that the hospital had earlier received patients from Badon Barade community in Wamakko LGA about two weeks ago.

“All the patients were treated at our isolation centre (IDH) and have since been discharged. As of today (Wednesday), we do not have any patients in the facility,” he said.

Outbreak due to environmental, social factors – Prof Arkilla

The Director of The One Health Institute at UDUTH, Professor Bello Magaji Arkilla, attributed the ongoing outbreak to a combination of environmental, social, and healthcare-related factors.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Prof Arkilla explained that northern Nigeria lies within the “meningitis belt,” a stretch of land across the Sahara from Senegal in the West to Ethiopia in the East.

According to him, the region’s unique weather and climatic conditions create a favorable environment for the bacteria responsible for the disease to thrive, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and young adults.

He identified overcrowding as a major contributing factor, noting that people living in congested environments are at a higher risk of contracting the infection.

He added that delayed access to proper medical care significantly worsens the situation, as infected individuals may unknowingly transmit the disease to others, especially those with low immunity.

The professor stressed that prompt treatment remains the most critical response to meningitis outbreaks.

“Once a case is suspected or confirmed, the patient should be taken immediately to a healthcare facility for proper diagnosis and administration of appropriate antibiotics.

“Healthcare workers have been adequately trained on treatment procedures, and the necessary medications are available,” he said.

The medical expert also emphasised preventive measures such as avoiding overcrowded spaces, maintaining good personal hygiene, and participating in vaccination programmes.

He noted that government-led vaccination campaigns are essential in curbing the spread of the disease and urged the public to cooperate fully.

He expressed concern over vaccine hesitancy among some members of the public, describing it as misplaced.

“The government and health experts act in the best interest of the people. Public cooperation is key to the success of any health intervention,” he added.

Speaking on symptoms, Prof Arkilla listed fever, headache, general body pain, neck pain, and stiffness of the neck as early warning signs.

He added that in severe cases, patients may become semi-conscious or unconscious and may also experience convulsions.

He urged Nigerians to seek immediate medical attention upon noticing these symptoms, especially in areas where cases have been reported, warning against self-diagnosis or dismissing it as a common illness such as malaria.

Prof Arkilla advised adherence to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and encouraged timely reporting and treatment of suspected cases to prevent further spread of the disease.

Authorities continue to urge residents to seek prompt medical attention at the onset of symptoms and to disregard misconceptions surrounding the disease, as efforts to contain the outbreak intensify.(Daily trust)