Northwest Nigeria is facing a meningitis crisis! Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has sounded the alarm as the deadly disease spreads rapidly across Kebbi and Sokoto States, leaving hundreds hospitalized and dozens dead.
Outbreak at a Crisis Level
Since early March, meningitis cases have surged, with over 500 patients admitted and more than 60 deaths recorded in Kebbi alone. The outbreak is spreading fast, and MSF warns that without immediate action, the numbers will continue to rise.
“Meningitis kills quickly if a patient doesn’t get to the hospital early enough. Many families are bringing in multiple sick children, and the threat to their lives is real,” says Dr. Bukar Galtimari, an MSF medical doctor in Kebbi State.
A Race Against Time: The Call for Mass Vaccination
MSF has mobilized emergency medical teams to:
Treat patients and provide life-saving drugs
Support hospitals with essential supplies and staff training
Find and track new cases to prevent further spread
The biggest challenge? Vaccination. Experts stress that meningitis, especially the Neisseria meningitidis strain prevalent in Nigeria, is extremely lethal—80% of untreated cases result in death.
MSF is urging local and federal authorities to immediately ramp up vaccination efforts. Plans are underway to launch mass vaccination campaigns in partnership with state health ministries by early April.
Nigeria’s Meningitis Crisis by the Numbers
807 suspected cases reported across 22 states
74 deaths recorded as of March 26, 2025
Highest admissions in Kebbi State: Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero LGAs
What You Need to Know About Meningitis
How it spreads: Through coughing, sneezing, and close contact
Symptoms appear FAST: Fever, stiff neck, severe headache, nausea, seizures
Death within 24 hours if untreated
Vaccine is the best protection
MSF is expanding its emergency response across Northern Nigeria as more suspected cases emerge. With hot, dry, and dusty conditions creating a high-risk epidemic zone, the need for swift action is greater than ever.
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