Meningitis Threat: NiMet names Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano among high-risk states

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that several northern states, including Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Kano, face a high risk of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) due to persistent dry and dusty weather conditions.

In a meningitis risk advisory released on Thursday, the agency said the disease remains dangerous because it can spread quickly and become fatal within hours if not treated promptly.

According to NiMet’s March 2026 surveillance report, 11 states have been classified as high-risk areas. These include Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno.

The agency explained that current environmental conditions such as high temperatures, low humidity and dust particles create a favourable atmosphere for the outbreak and spread of meningitis.

Cerebrospinal meningitis is a serious bacterial infection that affects the brain and spinal cord and is commonly caused by Neisseria meningitidis. The disease spreads mainly through respiratory droplets, especially in overcrowded or poorly ventilated environments.

NiMet stressed that early detection and prompt medical treatment are essential to reducing fatalities.

“The disease can progress rapidly and may become life-threatening within hours if untreated. However, early diagnosis and prompt antibiotic treatment greatly improve survival and reduce complications,” the agency said in a report by The Cable newspaper.

Symptoms commonly associated with the disease include sudden high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting and sensitivity to light.