editor
At least 17 schoolchildren across five schools in Nigeria’s north-eastern Yobe state have died after an outbreak of meningitis, authorities have confirmed.
Among the deceased are students in primary schools and others in boarding secondary schools, the state commissioner for education told.
A total of 473 suspected cases have been recorded so far, he said.
Meningitis is an infection which causes an acute inflammation of the outer layers of the brain and spinal cord. It can be life-threatening unless diagnosed and treated early.
Vaccination is an effective way of preventing meningitis.
