Nigeria records 961 cases of meningitis, 56 deaths

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The Nigeria Center for Disease Control said the country had recorded 961 suspected cases and 56 deaths from CSM in 32 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, in 159 local government areas so far in 2022.

The NCDC made this known in a press release signed Wednesday by its Director General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa.

Cerebrospinal meningitis is an epidemic-prone disease with cases reported year-round in Nigeria. The highest burden occurs in Africa's "meningitis belt" south of the Sahara Desert. In Nigeria, the belt includes the 19 northern states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and some southern states.

The PUNCH reports that World Meningitis Day is observed every October 5 to raise awareness of the disease.

The statement read in part "Despite significant advances in surveillance, diagnostic capacity and vaccine development in recent years, MSC remains a priority disease and a pervasive public health threat in several countries around the world. with frequent outbreaks that present a challenge to people, health systems, economies and societies.To this end, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention, on behalf of Nigeria, has joined the community to launch the global roadmap to end meningitis by 2030. The global roadmap to end meningitis by 2030 was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in November 2020. Alignment and local translation of this roadmap are particularly critical for Nigeria, where meningitis remains one of many often co-occurring public health challenges.

"This roadmap sets out a comprehensive vision for 2030 'Towards a world without meningitis', with three strategic goals: to eliminate epidemics of bacterial meningitis; to reduce cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis by 50% and deaths by 70%; reduce disability and improve quality of life after meningeal infection from any cause.

“This year so far and ahead of the next meningitis season, Nigeria has recorded 961 suspected cases and 56 deaths from CSM in 32 states plus FCT, in 159 LGAs. The NCDC, with the support of partners, continues work with affected states to improve surveillance in light of under-reporting of cases and execute strategic prevention and control activities with the aim of strengthening preparedness, detection and response to meningitis epidemics.

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“NCDC has an active National MSC Technical Working Group that has worked with partners and stakeholders to develop guidelines, checklists and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the response to meningitis. We are also working to improve meningitis surveillance at the sub-national level, particularly in high-burden states. Additionally, with support from partners, an MSC National Epidemic Preparedness and Response Plan has been developed. been developed. Currently, there is a network of 29 public laboratories with the capacity to diagnose CSM across the country. We continue to provide technical support for state planning and state capacity building in support prevention and control of meningitis.

"For us to successfully realize the vision of a meningitis-free world, there must be strong buy-in from Nigerians as well as political leaders at all levels of government. We continue to work with the Federal Ministry of Health and our sister agency, the Nigerian Primary Health Care Development Agency, as well as other partners to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against meningitis.”