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Suspected Meningitis Outbreak Kills 26 In Kebbi
The state also released ₦30 million to procure drugs and medical supplies.
Birni Kebbi, Kebbi State– The Kebbi State Government has confirmed the deaths of 26 people following a suspected outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis in Aliero, Gwandu, and Jega Local Governmen Areas.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Ismaila, disclosed this during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
He said the outbreak, which began in week seven of the year, presented with symptoms including fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, diarrhea, and sensitivity to light.
“A total of 248 suspected cases have been recorded, with 11 samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmation. While two results—one each from Jega and Gwandu—returned negative, nine others are still pending,” Ismaila stated.
Providing a breakdown of the fatalities, the commissioner reported 15 deaths in Gwandu, six in Jega, four in Aliero, and one in Argungu.
To curb the outbreak, Ismaila said the government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and UNICEF, has launched an advocacy campaign.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the state also released ₦30 million to procure drugs and medical supplies.
“Isolation centers have been set up in Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero, with essential drugs and medical consumables already distributed,” he added.
The commissioner urged residents to adhere to health guidelines and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.
