An outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis led to the death of mostly children and teenagers in Kurawa village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Anonymous health officials revealed that the situation has escalated in recent days, with an estimated two to three deaths taking place daily, mostly among people aged between two and 20 years.
They said patients seeking medical attention are trooping in as fear grips the community over the “unknown illness”.
“We are overwhelmed and do not know what it is that has been killing our people almost on a daily basis,” one of the officials said.
According to them, many of the victims died as a result of improper diagnosis of the illness, adding that locals were later advised to avoid sleeping in enclosed rooms due to the prevailing heat conditions.
Locals identify symptoms to include unconsciousness, severe neck pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, high fever and, in some cases, foaming from the mouth, all consistent with meningitis.
“In some cases, a child would first complain of neck pain before becoming unconscious,” a local said.
Despite the interventions, a local said the disease has not abated, adding that “we were told it is meningitis, but the disease is not stopping. That is why people are beginning to suspect it could be something else entirely.”
An anonymous hospital staff said only three deaths were recorded at the facility, adding that most victims died at home.
He said many victims die within 24 hours of showing symptoms.
The village head, Mudassir Abdullahi Kurawa (Wakilin Malumfashin Kurawa) of the area, who confirmed the incident, said it could be meningitis.
Kurawa said “within our town alone, about 10 to 15 people have died, excluding those in surrounding villages. The victims, mostly children, range between the ages of two and 10.”
He the outbreak began about three weeks ago, adding that on Saturday alone, 15 patients were admitted, and 3 of them died instantly.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar Wurno, hascconfirmed the development, saying he born notified of the situation on Sunday.
“I received the report on Sunday and immediately deployed health personnel to investigate what is happening and to provide necessary medications free of charge,” he said.
He, However, said the exact number of casualties was yet to be ascertained.
