A meningitis outbreak in Nigeria’s Kebbi state has claimed at least 26 lives, a local health official confirmed on Tuesday. The outbreak, which has seen a sharp increase in cases, is concentrated in three local government areas of the state.
Musa Ismaila, Kebbi’s Health Commissioner, reported that the outbreak has led to a surge in cases, with symptoms including fever, severe headaches, and neck stiffness. A total of 248 suspected cases have been documented, with 11 samples sent for testing to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja. Two of the samples returned negative results, while the remaining nine are still awaiting results.
Meningitis, an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, can be caused by either viral or bacterial infections. The disease is highly contagious, spreading through respiratory droplets, such as coughs, sneezes, and close contact.
In response to the outbreak, local authorities have distributed medications to affected areas and established isolation centers with the assistance of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the towns of Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero, the hardest-hit regions.
Neighboring Sokoto state has also issued a health warning after confirming an outbreak of the disease.
Nigeria, a hotspot for meningitis in Africa, reported over 1,700 cases and more than 150 deaths across seven states last year. The World Health Organization noted that Nigeria was the first country in the world to launch the Men5C vaccine against meningitis in 2024, marking a significant step in combating the disease.
