The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/Doctors Without Borders has estimated that up to 80 percent of meningitis patients may die without early access to treatment.
This statement comes as the organization warns that meningitis—particularly the Neisseria meningitidis strain present in Nigeria—is a highly lethal disease if left untreated.
This was contained in a statement signed by MSF Field Communications Manager Teresa Krug, a copy of which was made available to the press in Kano.
The statement reads:
“Since early March, meningitis—an extremely infectious and deadly disease—has been spreading rapidly throughout several states across Northwest Nigeria, primarily in Kebbi and Sokoto States.”
He disclosed that healthcare workers in Northern Nigeria are facing a race against time.
“The situation is alarming because meningitis kills quickly if a patient does not reach the hospital early enough,” said MSF medical doctor Bukar Galtimari, currently based in Kebbi State, the hardest-hit region in Nigeria.
“You see a mother come in with two or three children affected, and due to the nature of the disease and how quickly it spreads, the threat to their lives is very real.”
In Kebbi State alone, where MSF has witnessed the largest surge in admissions of meningitis patients across three Local Government Areas (LGAs)—Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero—the teams have already admitted over 500 patients, with more than 60 fatalities recorded.
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Access to timely care is therefore crucial. Above all, vaccination plays a pivotal role in preventing the emergence of new cases and the spread of the disease, ultimately saving many lives.
In Sokoto State, which borders Kebbi State, MSF teams are working tirelessly to support the local health system through case management and case-finding to enhance epidemiological capacity in vulnerable communities.
However, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/Doctors Without Borders warns that as the number of cases and deaths continues to rise, the situation will only worsen unless sufficient resources for mass vaccination campaigns and other preventive measures are immediately put in place.
Meningitis is an infectious disease that poses a significant public health challenge within the so-called “African Meningitis Belt”—a region of Sub-Saharan Africa stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia, where the disease is most prevalent and cyclical.
The environment is dry, hot, and dusty—all factors that contribute to a high epidemic risk. The bacteria that cause meningitis are transmitted from person to person through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions.
Time is of the essence, as meningitis patients can progress from fever to seizure or complete loss of consciousness within less than 24 hours of exposure. Early diagnosis is particularly challenging, especially in children. A robust mass vaccination campaign remains the most effective solution to combat this deadly outbreak.
In Northwest Nigeria, MSF medical teams have begun responding to the escalating needs by treating hundreds of patients, supporting healthcare facilities, and ensuring early access to adequate treatment. The organization is also supplying hospitals with essential drugs and providing medical staff training.
He also hinted that in both Sokoto and Kebbi States, MSF plans to initiate, support, and manage a mass vaccination campaign in collaboration with each state’s Ministry of Health, potentially starting as early as the beginning of April.
“The patients we see are suffering from high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and sensitivity to light,” said Dr. Galtimari, emphasizing that meningitis is a preventable disease with a vaccine.
“Local and federal authorities must do everything possible to expedite vaccination efforts immediately, ensuring that enough doses are available for all affected states. This is the only way to prevent more deaths.”
MSF is deploying additional emergency teams across the wider northern region of Nigeria to assess the situation, as more suspected or confirmed cases are being reported in numerous states. The organization remains committed to supporting the healthcare system and scaling up its response as needed.