Gombe State has recorded three deaths from Cerebrospinal Meningitis as of March 27, 2025.
Disclosing during a media briefing at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Dr Habu Dahiru, the Gombe State Commissioner for Health, said “We have been able to line list 70 suspected cases of CSM in nine LGAs and have collected 63 CSF samples (a CSF collection rate of 83 percent), out of which 31 returned positive for CSM. We have so far recorded only three deaths.”
Continuing the commissioner added, “Epidemic threshold have been reached in wards located in three LGAS; Kaltungo, Yamaltu-Deba and Gombe. I hereby declare ongoing outbreaks of CSM in these locations and will periodically provide additional updates as the situation evolves.”
Dahiru noted that CSM is a preventable and curable disease, and persons with symptoms such as high-grade fever, intense headache, vomiting, neck pain, convulsions, and altered consciousness need immediate treatment in a hospital to minimise the risk of death or complications.
“CSM is transmitted from directly from person to person through respiratory droplets from the nose and throat. Poor living conditions particularly overcrowding increase the likelihood of transmission.
“I therefore urge the good people of our dear state to minimise overcrowding, drink a lot of water during this hot and period and to maintain good environmental and personal hygiene. Persons with fever, headache and neck pains should immediately be taken to a hospital for assessment and care.
“We will inform the public as soon as we receive vaccines that will be administered to susceptible age groups in the most affected locations.”
Dahiru also urged the public to take preventive measures, saying, “I therefore urge the good people of our dear state to minimize overcrowding, drink a lot of water during this hot period, and to maintain good environmental and personal hygiene.”
He detailed release of drugs and other essential commodities from strategic reserves which were prepositioned in hospitals for free treatment of all cases.
“Social mobilisation and community sensitisation activities to educate people on CSM and let them know where to go for appropriate treatment.
“Our rapid response teams in all the LGAs embarked on active case search in healthcare facilities and in the communities.
“We trained healthcare workers (Doctors and Anaesthetic Nurses) from our hospitals on Lumbar Puncture, the specific procedure used to collected CSF samples from suspected for definitive diagnosis of the disease.
“Our situation reports were shared with the NCDC, WHO, MSF and other partners on a weekly basis,” Dahiru added.
