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 Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar, disclosed the figures 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, at least 256 suspected meningitis cases have been recorded in eight local government areas since the outbreak resurfaced about a month ago.
He said Sabon Birni recorded the highest number of suspected infections with 63 cases, followed by Wamakko with 60 and Shagari with 51 cases.
Other affected areas include Tambuwal with 33 cases, Dange Shuni with 26, and Kebbe with 16. Smaller numbers of cases were also reported in Bodinga, Gada and Kware.
Abubakar said many of the deaths occurred before patients could reach medical facilities, blaming delayed medical intervention and misconceptions that the illness is caused by spiritual forces rather than a medical condition requiring urgent treatment.
Health authorities say symptoms of meningitis include sudden fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion and convulsions.
Medical experts warn that the disease can become fatal within hours if left untreated and may also result in permanent complications such as hearing loss, paralysis and brain damage.
In response to the outbreak, the state government, in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières, has established isolation centres at the General Hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal, with separate treatment wards for male and female patients.
The commissioner noted that although only about 20 laboratory samples have so far tested positive, patients who arrived early for treatment have shown positive recovery outcomes. He added that no new deaths have been recorded since intensified intervention measures began.
Authorities have urged residents to seek immediate medical care once symptoms appear and to disregard misinformation surrounding the disease as efforts to contain the outbreak continue.
