The management of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero (KSUSTA), deeply regrets to announce the tragic loss of six students due to an outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis. This devastating incident has left the university community in mourning and underscores the urgent need for proactive health measures.
Upon detecting the initial signs of the outbreak, KSUSTA took immediate and decisive action to mitigate the spread of the disease. A specialised committee, led by the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Balarabe Adamu Isah, was formed to conduct a thorough investigation. The outbreak was promptly reported to the Kebbi State Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Higher Education. A stakeholders’ meeting was convened, bringing together key health sector experts, including representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and other medical professionals.
Several critical measures have been implemented to control the situation, including enhanced medical support, sanitation and preventative efforts, as well as health awareness and immunisation campaigns in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, and MSF. Despite these efforts, six students succumbed to the disease.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. B.G. Danshehu, expressed profound sorrow over the loss and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased students. “We deeply regret these losses, and our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families,” said Prof. Danshehu.!