Meningitis Death Toll in Kebbi Reaches 55 as Cases Rise

• Mar 19, 2025

A meningitis outbreak in Kebbi State has claimed 55 lives, with 653 suspected cases reported across three Local Government Areas (LGAs), health officials confirmed on Wednesday. The affected areas include Aliero, Jega, and Gwandu, where authorities are working to contain the disease and provide treatment.

Rising Cases and Response Efforts

The outbreak was first detected when the Public Health Department received reports of people experiencing fever, severe headaches, neck stiffness, vomiting, and dizziness—symptoms consistent with cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM). In response, health officials launched active surveillance and sent samples to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abuja for confirmation.

According to the Commissioner for Health, Yunusa Musa-Ismaila, who was represented by Permanent Secretary Shehu Nuhu-Koko at a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi, 17 samples were sent for testing. Of those, five tested positive for meningitis, while five returned negative. Seven sample results are still pending.

Health authorities reported that the five patients with confirmed cases were successfully treated and discharged. However, the number of fatalities continues to rise, with Gwandu LGA recording 25 deaths, Jega LGA reporting 16, and Aliero LGA confirming 14 deaths.

Vaccination and Government Intervention

To curb the spread of the disease, Kebbi State received 3,000 doses of meningitis vaccines from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The vaccines have been distributed to the hardest-hit areas, with 1,550 people vaccinated in Aliero, including those at the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology. Gwandu and Jega LGAs have vaccinated 798 and 450 people, respectively.

Authorities have assured residents that vaccination efforts will continue as more doses become available. Meanwhile, the state government has allocated N30 million for purchasing drugs and medical supplies to support response efforts.

Isolation and Public Awareness

In addition to vaccinations, isolation centers have been set up in Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero to manage cases more effectively. Health officials have also distributed essential medications to the affected LGAs to improve patient care.

Advocacy campaigns, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and UNICEF, are ongoing to raise awareness and encourage early reporting of symptoms. The government urges the public to follow health guidelines and seek immediate medical attention if they experience any symptoms.

As authorities work to contain the outbreak, residents are advised to remain vigilant, practice good hygiene, and cooperate with health officials to prevent further spread of the disease.