Deadly Outbreak: Kebbi Records 26 Deaths, 248 Suspected Cases of Meningitis
By Tukur Abdullahi
Kebbi State is grappling with a suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis, which has claimed 26 lives and resulted in 248 suspected cases across four local government areas.
According to the State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Yunusa Ismail, the affected LGAs include Gwandu (15 deaths), Aleiro (6 deaths), Jega (4 deaths), and Argungu (1 death).
Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, Ismail revealed that 11 samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmation, with two testing negative while nine results are still pending.
In response to the outbreak, the state government has swiftly deployed medical supplies, set up isolation centres, and facilitated sample collection training for health workers. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also supported these efforts.
The Commissioner urged residents to seek immediate medical attention when feeling unwell, avoid overcrowded sleeping spaces, and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene.
Additionally, the state government has allocated ₦30 million to procure essential drugs and medical supplies to mitigate the crisis. Ismail assured that once the disease is officially confirmed, the state will request vaccines from the national health authorities to curb its spread.
