The Gombe State Ministry of Health has officially declared an outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in three local government areas following a surge in confirmed cases.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, during a press briefing.
He disclosed that the first confirmed cases in the state were recorded on February 24, 2025, when laboratory tests on cerebrospinal fluid samples from suspected cases in Billiri and Akko Local Government Areas tested positive for bacterial meningitis.
“In response, the public health emergency operations centre was placed on alert, and surveillance was intensified across all 11 local government areas to monitor the situation and curb further spread,” Dr. Dahiru stated.
Since the initial cases, the state he said, has recorded 31 confirmed cases of CSM, with three reported fatalities.
The most affected areas include Kaltungo, Yamaltu-Deba, and Gombe Local Government Areas, where the number of cases has surpassed the epidemic threshold.
“This prompted the immediate activation of an incident management system and an official declaration of an outbreak in these locations,” the commissioner added.
To contain the outbreak, the Gombe State Ministry of Health, as stated by the commissioner, has implemented several urgent public health measures.
Dr. Dahiru confirmed that all confirmed cases are receiving free treatment in government hospitals, while community sensitization campaigns have also been launched to educate residents on the symptoms, transmission, and prevention of the disease.
Additionally, he said rapid response teams have been deployed to healthcare facilities and communities to actively identify new cases.
The commissioner added that healthcare workers, including doctors and anesthetic nurses, have been trained on lumbar puncture—a critical procedure for diagnosing meningitis.
The state government, he said is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other health partners to coordinate response efforts.
Dr. Dahiru also announced that a request has been submitted to the International Coordination Group for CSM vaccines, which will be administered to high-risk populations upon arrival.
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Dr. Dahiru emphasized that cerebrospinal meningitis is both preventable and treatable if detected early, and urged residents to be vigilant for symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, convulsions, and altered consciousness.
He also advised residents to take preventive measures, including avoiding overcrowded areas, staying hydrated, and maintaining proper hygiene, as the disease spreads through respiratory droplets.
The commissioner advised that suspected cases should be reported immediately to the nearest health facility for prompt medical intervention.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to public health, Dr. Dahiru assured residents that Governor Muhammad Yahaya remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of the people of Gombe State.
He acknowledged the governor’s continued support for public health emergency preparedness and financial backing for free CSM treatment.
The commissioner pledged transparency in the government’s response and promised to provide further updates as the situation unfolds.
