Meningitis outbreak kills 33 children in Sokoto

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

Health authorities disclosed that 256 suspected cases have so far been recorded across eight local government areas as efforts intensify to contain the spread of the disease.

The Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar, made this known on Wednesday during an advocacy meeting with district heads on SARMAAN and MNTE, organised by the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in partnership with Sightsavers and the Chigari Foundation.

According to the commissioner, Sabon Birni Local Government Area recorded the highest number of cases with 63 infections, followed by Wamakko with 60, Shagari with 51, Tambuwal with 33 and Dange Shuni with 26 cases. Kebbe recorded 16 cases, while Bodinga, Gada and Kware reported fewer infections.

Abubakar said many of the victims died before reaching hospitals due to delays in seeking treatment and misconceptions among residents who reportedly viewed the illness as spiritual rather than medical.

Cerebrospinal meningitis is a serious infection that affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The disease spreads more rapidly during hot and dry weather, especially in overcrowded communities with poor ventilation.

Symptoms include sudden fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion and convulsions. Medical experts warn that the illness can become fatal within hours if treatment is delayed.

To tackle the outbreak, the state government, in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), established isolation centres at the General Hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal.

The centres currently operate separate wards for male, female and paediatric patients.

Abubakar noted that although only about 20 laboratory samples have tested positive, patients brought to health facilities early have responded well to treatment.

He added that no new deaths had been recorded recently since intensified intervention measures began.

However, health workers at the Dogo Daji isolation centre said fresh cases are still being reported daily.

A nurse at the facility, who requested anonymity, disclosed that 22 patients are currently receiving treatment at the centre.

“We discharge recovered patients every day, but new cases continue to come in,” the nurse said, adding that the increasing admissions may require the opening of an additional ward.

He explained that treatment at the centre is completely free, including medications, feeding and transportation support for patients.

Despite the interventions, the facility recently recorded two fatalities, including a child under the age of five and another patient who died while being referred to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director of Specialists Hospital, Sokoto, Dr. Attahiru Sokoto, confirmed that patients earlier admitted from Badon Barade community in Wamakko Local Government Area had all recovered and been discharged.

Authorities have continued to urge residents to seek immediate medical attention once symptoms appear and avoid relying on false beliefs surrounding the disease.