Nigeria, April 28 -- A suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) has killed several residents, mostly children, in Kurawa village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, triggering panic as health authorities race to contain the disease.

Residents and community leaders said the outbreak began about three weeks ago, with fatalities mounting steadily in recent days.

Mudassir Kurawa, the village head, told journalists that between 10 and 15 deaths had been recorded in the community, excluding surrounding settlements.

"The victims are mostly children between the ages of two and 10," he said.

He added that on Saturday alone, 15 patients were admitted at the local health facility, with three dying shortly after arriva...