From Lateef Taiwo

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports that, as of 2023/2024, Nigeria experienced 4915 suspected cases, 380 confirmed cases, and 361 deaths from Cerebrospinal Meningitis, CSM, across 174 Local Government Areas in 24 States including the Federal Capital Territory.

Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris made this known at a press briefing that a total of 2, 281, 750 doses of Men5CV- ACWYX in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe covering 134 wards in the 13 LGAs. The campaign targeted individuals aged 1-29years, comprising 70% of the population.

He said, 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.

He informed that cerebrospinal Meningitis, CSM, occurs when there is an acute inflammation of the covering of the brain and the spinal cord. 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.

The DG explained, “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. 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, while the agency continue to intensify efforts using an all-of-society approach, the public is advised to note that the virus spreads through direct person-to-person contact, including droplets from the nose and throat of infected persons.

“Close and prolonged contact with an infected individual, saying CSM initially presents with fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, photophobia (pain on looking at bright lights), neck stiffness, and altered conscious levels. It may be more difficult to observe these signs in younger children, but irritability, poor feeding, and inactivity are common.

“Although 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 from cooking with wood, or charcoal, those with poor hygienic practices (poor cough etiquette and hand washing for example).

He urged the general public to ensure loved loved ones have received the appropriate vaccination required to protect against meningitis, avoid close and prolonged contact with a confirmed case of CSM including relatives, avoid overcrowding on households, schools dormitories, IDPs, prisons other communal settings, practice proper respiratory hygiene when coughing or sneezing and discourage indoor air pollution, such as indoor cooking over open flames.

“Healthcare workers are advised always to practice standard infection prevention and control practices: i.e., wear gloves and other appropriate personal protective equipment while handling patients or providing care to an ill patient