Meningitis outbreak kills 17 students in Nigeria

By Timothy Olanrewaju

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) - At least 17 students have been killed following an outbreak of meningitis in three secondary schools in northeastern Nigeria, an official said.

The disease hit Government Science Technical College, Government Girls Science Technical College, and Federal Government Girls College in Potiskum, a sprawling town in Ylobe State, said Muhammad Idriss, the commissioner for basic and secondary education.

“At least 17 students have died in two secondary schools … while one woman from the Federal Government Girls College also died,” he told journalists.

He said the Education Ministry discovered there was meningitis outbreak in the area and could spread to other schools.

Dr. Muhammad Lawan Gana, the state commissioner of health, told Anadolu on Thursday that the government has activated all public health measures for "prevention, response and control" of the disease.

He said fatalities often occur when affected persons report late to health facilities in the area.

Meningitis can be caused by several species of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Meningitis infection causes inflammation in the brain and spinal cord and this triggers severe headache, fever and stiffness of the neck, the WHO said.