The Sokoto State Government has confirmed the death of 33 children following a fresh outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in parts of the state, as health officials continue efforts to contain rising infections.
The commissioner for health, Dr Faruk Abubakar, confirmed the development during an advocacy meeting with district heads on SARMAAN and MNTE.
The meeting was organised by the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in partnership with Sightsavers and the Chigari Foundation.
According to the commissioner, “no fewer than 256 suspected cases have been recorded across eight local government areas since the outbreak resurfaced about a month ago.”
He said Sabon Birni recorded the highest number of cases with 63, followed by Wamakko with 60, Shagari with 51, Tambuwal with 33, and Dange Shuni with 26. Kebbe recorded 16 cases, while Bodinga, Gada and Kware reported two, one and two cases respectively.
Dr Abubakar stated that many of the deaths occurred before victims were taken to hospitals, blaming delayed treatment and misconceptions that the illness is spiritual rather than a medical emergency.
Symptoms of meningitis include sudden fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion and convulsions.
Health experts warned that without urgent treatment, the disease could lead to death within hours or result in permanent complications such as hearing loss, brain damage or paralysis.
To contain the outbreak, the state government, alongside Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), established isolation centres at the General Hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal, with separate wards for male and female patients.
The commissioner added that although only about 20 laboratory samples have tested positive so far, patients brought to health facilities early have responded well to treatment, with no recent deaths recorded since intensified interventions began.
Authorities have continued to urge residents to seek immediate medical attention once symptoms appear and to disregard false beliefs surrounding the disease as efforts to control the outbreak continue.