Residents Flee As Lack Of Electricity Worsens Meningitis Deaths In Sokoto

Residents of Sokoto State are fleeing to other states over lack of electricity as a meningitis outbreak continues to spread at an alarming rate.

Sokoto is a meningitis belt in Nigeria. Dozens of deaths have been reported recently amid a lack of electricity, which is worsening the spread.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Umar Abubakar Wurno, announced the outbreak of meningitis in some local governments of the state after some reported cases.

Wurno said the outbreak was confirmed through laboratory tests following a rising number of cases in several local government areas, emphasising the need for heightened awareness.

He stated that the ministry has intensified surveillance, case management, and public health interventions to curb the spread of the disease.

Wurno urged residents to take precautionary measures that include seeking immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility when they experience symptoms such as fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, or any unusual signs.

Other measures are maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene, avoiding crowded places and ensuring proper ventilation in homes and public spaces.

Residents who, however, spoke with THE WHISTLER lamented the development and said they are leaving the states “for now” as lack of electricity continues to plunge the city into darkness.

Hot weather temperature is a significant risk factor for bacterial meningitis. And Sokoto, being one of the hottest areas in the country, is experiencing serious bacterial meningitis amid a lack of electricity.

Abdullahi Sambo, a resident of the Mana Babba area in the state, said the hot weather makes it even more crucial for the power supply to be reliable, as it is expected to provide relief from the heat through air conditioners and fans.

“We are struggling with severe power outages, receiving barely 3 hours of electricity per day. Even when it’s available, the voltage is so low that it’s almost useless; we can’t even power a simple fan.

“The need for proper ventilation and cooling in our homes is essential to prevent the spread of the virus and to provide a comfortable environment, especially in this month of Ramadan. he added”

He said, “My neighbour has left with his family because of the fear. This was because two of our neighbours lost some of their children to the bacteria a few days ago.”

Another resident, Usman Aliyu, also showed his concern about the impact of the power outages on their daily lives. According to him, the hot weather makes it difficult for them to sleep and work without proper cooling, and the lack of electricity also affects businesses and other essential services.

He called on the Kaduna Electric Company to address the issue as a matter of urgency, adding that meningitis is a disease that is easily spread.

He lamented that “people are dying because people can’t sleep in the day or night as there’s no electricity.

“How do we sleep? It’s impossible. That’s why the bacteria is killing people. It’s speeding very fast and the government is not doing anything about it.”

Residents Flee As Lack Of Electricity Worsens Meningitis Deaths In Sokoto is first published on The Whistler Newspaper