Meningitis: Nigeria records 361 deaths, 380 confirmed cases in one year

About 4915 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), 380 confirmed cases, and 361 deaths were recorded in the country between 2023 and 2024 across 174 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 24 States including the Federal Capital Territory.

In addition, a total of 2, 281, 750 doses of Men5CV- ACWYX in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, and Yobe covering 134 wards in the 13 LGAs under a campaign targeted individuals aged 1-29years, comprising 70% of the population.

Meanwhile, the NCDC has issued a public health advisory, urging Nigerians to take the appropriate vaccination required to protect themselves against meningitis as the dry season sets in.

Director General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, who gave the advise yesterday in Abuja, said that the highest burden of CSM in Nigeria occurs in the “Meningitis Belt” which includes all 19 states in the Northern region, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and some southern states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun).

He noted that Cerebrospinal Meningitis occurs when there is an acute inflammation of the covering of the brain and the spinal cord, adding that this inflammation can be caused by infection with any of the following organisms – bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi, injuries, and certain drugs can also cause such inflammation.

Idris explained that CSM is an epidemic-prone disease with cases reported all year round in Nigeria, however, weather conditions like the dry season that comes with dust, winds, cold nights, and frequent upper respiratory tract infections increase the risk of infection, especially with crowding and poor ventilation.

He observed that despite significant progress in surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and vaccination over the last few years, CSM remains a priority disease and ever-present public health threat in Nigeria with annual outbreaks in high-burden states that present a challenge for people, health systems, economies, and communities.

According to him, CSM initially presents with fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, photophobia (pain on looking at bright lights), neck stiffness, and altered consciousness levels.

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He said it may be more difficult to observe these signs in younger children, but irritability, poor feeding, and inactivity are common.

He stated that though meningitis affects all ages, the most at-risk persons are young children, especially those under or not immunised, individuals living in overcrowded households, individuals who smoke, individuals exposed due to poor ventilation and indoor air pollution, those with poor hygienic practices and contacts of infected persons with poor infection prevention and control measures.

The NCDC boss urged Nigerians to avoid close and prolonged contact with a confirmed case of CSM including relatives, and overcrowding in households, school dormitories, IDPs, prisons other communal settings.

He highlighted the need to practice proper respiratory hygiene when coughing or sneezing, discourage indoor air pollution, such as indoor cooking over open flames, always keep your environment clean, and visit to nearest health facility immediately there are signs and symptoms associated with CSM.