Water Blamed For Meningitis Outbreak

A meningitis outbreak has killed least 465 people in northern Nigeria, health officials reported Saturday.

Health officials blame infected drinking water for the spread of the bacteria, which can causes fever, spinal problems, brain swelling and death without quick antibiotic treatment. Nigeria has a severe shortage of safe drinking water.

About 275 people have died in Kano state, and another 1,000 were undergoing treatment. In neighboring Katsina state, on the northern border with Niger, at least 190 are confirmed dead and 800 people infected.