Nigerian authorities have confirmed a meningitis outbreak in the northwest region, resulting in 26 deaths since late January.
Kebbi state, the epicenter, has recorded over 200 suspected cases, prompting urgent medical intervention.
Health Commissioner Musa Ismail announced the dispatch of supplies and the establishment of isolation centers to curb the disease’s spread.
Neighboring Sokoto state has also issued a warning, urging residents to remain vigilant.
Health Commissioner Faruk Abubakar emphasized the importance of immediate medical attention for symptoms like high fever, stiff neck, and severe headaches.
Meningitis, prevalent during Nigeria’s hot season, poses a significant public health challenge alongside malaria, for which Nigeria bears the highest global burden.
The outbreak occurs amidst a backdrop of reduced international aid, as previous U.S. support has been withdrawn.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,765 suspected cases and 190 deaths between 2022 and 2023.
Nigeria, situated within the African Meningitis Belt, is striving to meet the World Health Assembly’s 2030 eradication goal.