About 807 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) and 74 deaths have been reported across 22 states in the country, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 9.2 percent as of 26th March 2025.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the affected states include Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Ebonyi, Oyo, Bauchi, Ondo, Kaduna, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Ekiti, Niger, Plateau, FCT, and Sokoto.
Consequently, the NCDC has deployed Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to Kebbi, Sokoto, and Katsina States in response further to the ongoing outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) following a significant increase in suspected cases reported from these states.
In a statement on Thursday evening in Abuja, Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris noted that Kebbi, Katsina, and Sokoto States have recorded the highest number of suspected cases, deaths, and CFRs, with relatively low sample collection rates, necessitating urgent intervention.
He stated that the deployed teams, comprising multisectoral and interdisciplinary experts—including specialists in case management and lumbar puncture techniques are already in the affected states and working closely with the state health authorities to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
Idris observed that the teams would be in the states for 14 days, and if need be, an extension would be activated.
He emphasised the importance of personal safety and instructed all team members to strictly observe infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols throughout the response effort.
Idris said that key objectives of the response include rapid containment of the outbreak; strengthening case management and IPC measures, enhancing surveillance and sample collection, conducting risk communication and community engagement activities and identifying the outbreak’s source, and recommending appropriate public health actions.
He said that the NCDC remains committed to supporting state governments and partners to safeguard the health of Nigerians through timely and effective responses to public health threats.
