* Over 30 die in Kebbi
* Outbreak may worsen
* Doctors warn of imminent danger
* As Nigerians panic
The current harsh weather conditions and it’s attendant health crisis has thrown many citizens who are on lower rungs of the social and economic ladder into panic, DAUDA ISMAIL writes.
Mummy Joy, a caterer based in Masaka, in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State was busy in her shop, preparing confectionery for her customers when she suddenly rushed outside, gasping for air.
To the surprise of her colleagues and unlookers, the seemingly healthy mother slumped .
Concerned neighbours and colleagues quickly rushed to her rescue when a senior nurse examined her and discovered that she just had a heat wave.
Towards the end of February, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet,. issued a heat stress warning following a surge in temperatures across the country, with several states experiencing extreme heat conditions.
In a report posted on X on Thursday, NiMet revealed that as of Wednesday, February 19, maximum temperatures ranged between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius, with Yelwa recording the highest at 40℃.
According to the agency, several cities, including Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu, Awka, Bida, Minna, Gusau, Iseyin, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, recorded temperatures of 38℃.
Meanwhile, Sokoto, Kebbi, Lokoja, Makurdi, Abakaliki, Ikom, Jalingo, and Yola experienced slightly higher temperatures of 39℃, cautioning that air temperatures are expected to remain within this range, with the possibility of slight increases in some areas.
Additionally, the expected moisture influx reaching far inland into the central states will combine with high temperatures to intensify discomfort levels. “Early morning, day, and night temperatures will feel warmer than their real values and create more discomfort,” NiMet stated.
The agency identified several states as most vulnerable to the rising heat stress, including Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Oyo, Kwara, Niger, and the FCT.
Others include: Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Osun, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Benue. NiMet then advised residents in these areas to take necessary precautions to mitigate the effects of extreme heat.
And barely after this warning. Nigerians across the country, especially these most affected states according to NiMet experienced a fearful surge in temperature.
“Honestly I don’t know why every heat season that comes is usually hotter than the previous. It is not easy for the common people to survive, because the rich will sleep in an air conditioned house, wake up and get driven in an air conditioned vehicle, and into an air conditioned office.
“Whether the DisCos provide electricity or not, they have generators or solar powered batteries to power their houses. But with the poor, even when there’s electricity, they rely on a grossly insufficient fan, or nothing at all.
*That is why whether it is meningitis, measles,chicken pox or any other disease associated with the current weather,.it is the poor that suffer the outbreak and die,” Garba Ndanusa, a native of Bida in Niger State lamented.
In recent months, Nigeria has experienced an outbreak of meningitis, with reports indicating a significant number of suspected cases and deaths, particularly in the northern states, which are part of the “African meningitis belt”.
Just this month, a meningitis outbreak in Kebbi State, specifically in four local government areas, resulted in about 30 deaths and over 200 suspected cases.
Like Kebbi, neighbouring Sokoto State has urged residents to remain vigilant after several cases were suspected, The state’s commissioner for health, Faruk Abubakar, said residents should take precautionary measures and seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility if they are experiencing symptoms such as high fever, stiff neck and severe headaches.
Nigeria previously received aid from the United States Agency for International Development to combat these diseases, but that support has recently been withdrawn.
Between 2022 and 2023, Nigeria, located in an area known as the African Meningitis Belt, recorded 2,765 suspected cases and 190 deaths, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2024, the World Health Organization said 153 people died in a similar outbreak.
According to Dr Gabriel Ameh, a public health physician, Nigerians should stay hydrated and avoid exhaustion as the period of abnormal hot weather sets in.
Ameh said the extreme temperatures, amid the epileptic power supply, could trigger diseases, threaten livestock and even lead to death.
The physician said the heatwave and scorching sun experienced by residents could also trigger severe dehydration, respiratory infections aside high temperature.
Ameh said people should keep their bodies hydrated always by drinking lots of water.
He said that morbid conditions and underlying cardiovascular diseases that led to stroke could be caused by exhaustion and excessive heat.
“The consequences may be drastic; the weather is not stable; one minute it is hot, the next it is windy, dusty with a cooler temperature at night or dawn.
“I will advise people to avoid strenuous activities in hot environments; use fans or air-condition once there is power, constantly keep yourselves hydrated at all times.
“Wear light clothing and avoid the sun if possible. It is better to avoid anything that will cause one to visit the hospital for any medical emergency at this period, especially with the economic challenges to grapple with,” he said.
He also advised the use of face masks when the weather turns dusty and windy, adding that residents should find ways to adapt to the climate change.
In a similar vein, another physician, Dr Soye Emine told our correspondent: “Nigerians have to be very careful as they prepare for the worst. With this harsh weather conditions being faced, coupled with the epileptic power supply, no one knows how bad things can get. Look at the outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in the North especially, the only advice I have for us all is to avoid the sun, avoid exhaustion stay hydrated and ventilated so we all can remain alive.
