The Sokoto State Government has confirmed the death of 33 children following a renewed outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis across several parts of the state.
The outbreak, which has affected eight local government areas, has so far resulted in 256 suspected cases within the past month, according to the state Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar.
Abubakar disclosed this during an advocacy meeting with district heads on SARMAAN and MNTE organised by the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with Sightsavers and the Chigari Foundation.
He said Sabon Birni Local Government Area recorded the highest number of infections with 63 suspected cases, followed by Wamakko with 60, Shagari with 51, Tambuwal with 33, Dange Shuni with 26 and Kebbe with 16 cases. Bodinga, Gada and Kware recorded two, one and two cases respectively.
The commissioner attributed many of the deaths to delayed medical intervention and misconceptions surrounding the disease.
“Most of the deaths occurred before the patients could reach health facilities because some residents believe the illness is spiritual rather than a medical emergency,” Abubakar said.
He explained that cerebrospinal meningitis, an infection that inflames the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, spreads more rapidly during the hot and dry season, especially in overcrowded communities with poor ventilation.
According to health experts, symptoms of the disease include sudden fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, confusion, convulsions and sensitivity to light.
Abubakar said the state government, in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières, had established isolation centres at General Hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal to contain the outbreak and provide treatment for affected patients.
He added that patients brought to hospitals early had shown positive response to treatment.
“Although only about 20 laboratory samples have returned positive, no recent deaths have been recorded since intensified interventions began,” he stated.
However, a health worker at the Dogo Daji isolation centre, who spoke anonymously, said new cases were still being reported daily.
“We are discharging recovered patients every day, but fresh cases keep coming in. Two patients were discharged today and immediately replaced with two new admissions,” the source said.
The official disclosed that 22 patients were currently receiving treatment at the facility, adding that authorities might open another ward due to the increasing number of admissions.
“The cases are increasing, and we may need another ward to separate female and paediatric patients,” the health worker added.
He also noted that treatment at the centre remained free for all patients.
“Patients pay nothing. They are given medication, food and even transportation support after confirmation of their cases,” he said.
Despite ongoing interventions, the isolation centre recently recorded two deaths, including a boy under the age of five identified as Amir and another patient, Nura Jabo, who reportedly died while being transferred to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital.
Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director of Specialists Hospital, Sokoto, Dr Attahiru Sokoto, confirmed that patients earlier admitted at the hospital’s isolation centre had recovered and been discharged.
“All the patients brought from Badon Barade community in Wamakko Local Government Area have been treated and discharged. We currently have no patient on admission,” he said.
The state government has urged residents to seek immediate medical attention once symptoms appear and to disregard misinformation surrounding the disease as efforts continue to contain the outbreak.
