The Kebbi State Government has confirmed that the death toll from the meningitis outbreak in the state has climbed to 55, with Gwandu recording 25 deaths, Jega 16, and Aliero 14.
Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Nuhu Koko, revealed that 653 suspected cases had been reported across five local government areas—Aliero, Jega, Gwandu, Birnin Kebbi, and Bunza.
Dr. Koko stated that laboratory tests confirmed cases of meningitis, with five samples testing positive while results for seven other samples are still pending. He assured that all five confirmed patients had been treated and discharged.
To combat the outbreak, the state received 3,000 doses of CSM vaccines from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which were distributed to the most affected areas. Isolation centers have also been set up in Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), with necessary medical supplies provided.
He added that health teams have begun advocacy visits to stakeholders and international partners, including WHO, UNICEF, and MSF, to strengthen response efforts.
