The Sokoto State Government has confirmed the death of 33 children following a cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak affecting several communities across the state.
Health officials said the outbreak has spread across eight local government areas, with 256 suspected cases recorded within the past month.
The Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar, disclosed the figures on Wednesday during an advocacy meeting on child health and disease prevention in Sokoto.
The meeting focused on the Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin in Children and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination programs.
The event was organized by the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency alongside Sight savers and the Chigari Foundation.
According to the commissioner, Sabon Birni recorded the highest number of infections with 63 suspected cases.
Other affected areas include Wamakko with 60 cases, Shagari with 51, and Tambuwal with 33.
Dange Shuni recorded 26 cases, while Kebbe reported 16.
Health authorities also confirmed cases in Bodinga, Gada and Kware.
Dr. Abubakar said many victims died before reaching hospitals because families delayed seeking medical care.
He blamed misconceptions and beliefs that the illness had spiritual causes rather than medical explanations.
Residents in Kurawa village in Sabon Birni earlier raised concerns after several children and teenagers developed severe symptoms linked to meningitis.
Community members reported symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, severe neck pain, diarrhea, unconsciousness and foaming from the mouth.
Local health workers said deaths occurred almost daily at the peak of the outbreak.
Sources in the community explained that some patients died before doctors could properly diagnose the disease.
Health officials later advised residents to avoid sleeping in overcrowded or poorly ventilated rooms because of extreme heat conditions that could worsen the spread.
To contain the outbreak, the state government partnered with Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders.
The partnership led to the establishment of isolation centers at general hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal.
The centers now provide separate treatment wards for male, female and pediatric patients.
Dr. Abubakar said laboratory tests have confirmed meningitis in about 20 samples so far.
He added that patients brought to hospitals early have responded well to treatment.
According to him, no new deaths have been recorded recently since health interventions intensified.
Despite government efforts, medical staff at the Dogo Daji isolation center say admissions continue to rise.
A nursing official at the center disclosed that 22 patients are currently receiving treatment.
The official said health workers discharged two recovered patients on Wednesday but admitted two new cases immediately afterward.
He warned that increasing admissions may force the center to open another ward to separate women from pediatric patients.
The staff member, who requested anonymity, said doctors, nurses, hygiene experts and health promoters remain on ground to manage the situation.
He also confirmed that treatment, medications, meals and transportation support are being provided free of charge.
“Patients do not pay for anything,” the official said.
However, the center recently recorded two deaths, including a boy under five identified as Amir.
Another victim, Nura Jabo from Jabo town, reportedly died while being transferred to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital after his condition worsened.
The Director of the One Health Institute at UDUTH, Bello Magaji Arkilla, linked the outbreak to environmental and social conditions common in northern Nigeria.
He explained that the region lies within Africa’s “meningitis belt,” which stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia.
According to him, dry weather, dust and extreme heat create favorable conditions for the bacteria responsible for meningitis.
Prof. Arkilla identified overcrowding and delayed treatment as major factors driving infections and deaths.
He warned that untreated patients could spread the disease quickly, especially among children and people with weak immune systems.
Health experts have urged residents to seek immediate medical attention once symptoms appear.
Prof. Arkilla listed early signs of meningitis as fever, headache, body pain and neck stiffness.
He said severe cases could lead to unconsciousness and convulsions if treatment is delayed.
The professor also encouraged residents to maintain good hygiene, avoid overcrowded spaces and participate in vaccination programs.
He criticized vaccine hesitancy and urged communities to cooperate with health authorities.
“The government and health experts act in the best interest of the people,” he said.
Authorities continue to intensify awareness campaigns across affected communities as efforts to contain the outbreak continue.
