• Meningitis
• MSF
• North West

MSF DECLARES MENINGITIS EMERGENCY IN NORTHWEST NIGERIA AS DEATH TOLL SURPASSES 60

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  CapitalTimesNews / 1 week
• 0
• 2 min read

Doctors Without Borders, known internationally as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has declared a public health emergency in Northwest Nigeria following a deadly meningitis outbreak that has killed at least 60 people and hospitalized over 500 across Sokoto and Kebbi states. The highly contagious disease has spread rapidly since early March, overwhelming healthcare systems and prompting urgent calls for mass vaccination campaigns. MSF reported a sharp rise in cases, particularly in Kebbi State, where its teams are managing over 500 patients in Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero local government areas. More than 60 deaths have been confirmed, with medical workers in the region facing extreme pressure. “The situation is alarming. Meningitis kills quickly if someone does not come to the hospital early enough,” said MSF physician Dr. Bukar Galtimari, based in Kebbi. “You see a mother come in with two or three kids affected, and due to the nature of the disease and how quickly it spreads, the threat to their lives is very real.” Meningitis, caused by the Neisseria meningitis strain prevalent in Nigeria, can be fatal within 24 hours if untreated, with mortality rates as high as 80% without prompt care. Symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, nausea, seizures, and sensitivity to light. The disease spreads through respiratory droplets, thriving in the hot, dry conditions of Nigeria’s northwest, part of Sub-Saharan Africa’s “Meningitis Belt.” MSF teams are supporting local health facilities by providing essential drugs, training staff, and enhancing case management. The organization plans to collaborate with state ministries of health to launch mass vaccination campaigns in Sokoto and Kebbi as early as April. “Local and federal authorities should do everything they can to speed up their vaccination efforts immediately, ensuring enough doses are available for all affected states. This is the only way to prevent people from dying,” stressed Dr. Galtimari. Emergency teams are also assessing suspected cases in other northern states, with MSF warning that deaths will escalate without swift intervention. The outbreak highlights the critical need for preventive measures in a region where cyclical epidemics are common. Healthcare workers urge communities to seek early treatment and emphasize vaccination as the most effective defense against further loss of life.