Meningitis kills dozens
2004-03-20 19:13
Kano, Nigeria - An epidemic of meningitis has killed dozens of people and infected hundreds more in northern Nigeria, health officials and residents said Saturday.
The exact number of fatalities in northern Jigawa state was unknown, but "up to fifty" people have died and hundreds more were receiving medical treatment, state official Habibu Kila told reporters.
The epidemic was first reported on Monday to local health authorities. Kila said the outbreak was under control.
Ubale Zubairu, a resident who fled to Jigawa's capital, Dutse, from one affected district, Jahun, said between 50 and 100 people have died from the disease.
Meningitis - an infection of the spinal fluid near the brain caused by either virus or bacteria - seasonally affects swathes of West Africa, aided by dry, hot weather and the poorly ventilated habitats of the region's mainly impoverished inhabitants.
- AFP