34 die in meningitis outbreak in Sokoto – Commissioner
No fewer than 34 persons died out of 254 infected with meningitis outbreak in nine local government areas of Sokoto State.
The State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Wurno, disclosed this to the newsmen on in Sokoto.
Wurno said most of deaths were recorded at home before government interventions as people still attributed spiritual believe or misterous circumstances to the ilments.
He said Isolation center was established at the severe affected places at Dogondaji and Kurawa communities in Tambuwal and Sabon Birni LGAs adding that all the 201 persons were treated and discharged at the government facilities.
He listed the affected local government areas to include; Dange-Shuni 26, Kebbe 16, Shagari 51, Tambuwal 34, Wamakko 60, Sabon Birni 63 Bodinga, Kware has two cases each while Gada has one case.
According to him, 24 samples were sent for tests out of which 16 samples were returned free of the diseasebwhile eight cases of meningitis were confirmed.
He explained that meningitis is a serious infection affecting membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, spreading through respiratory droplets during close contact, particularly in crowded or poorly ventilated environments.
He said government intensified awareness campaigns for people to sleep at ventilated rooms or outside house compounds in order to prevent the spread of the diseases mostly resulted from hot weather.
Wurno emphasized that children aged one to 15 are most affected, while overcrowding and seasonal dry winds increase transmission risks, raising serious public health concerns across northern states.
He added that government had intensified surveillance and response through disease surveillance officers and ensure laboratory testing, medications conducted while efforts continued to strengthen laboratory capacity and improved detection and confirmation of cases.