Meningitis has claimed 745 lives since its outbreak in November, an update released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) stated yesterday
The centre said 8,057 suspected cases of CSM have been reported across the country so far.
Of the 8,057 cases, 7,519 (93 per cent) occurred in the five states that have reached outbreak levels for CSM serotype C.
The outbreak affects five states— Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi and Niger.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the NCDC are working to contain the outbreak.
Both government agencies noted that they have intensified their activities, including raising awareness of the outbreak in communities, implementing enhanced surveillance to detect and report new cases, vaccinating populations at the highest risk and treating persons diagnosed with the disease.
“At national level and in affected states, activities aimed at driving information into grassroots – including advocacy meetings with religious leaders, civil society organisations, health professionals, entertainers and media organisations – continue.
“Enhanced surveillance activities activated by several states in partnership with NCDC and partners have contributed to increased case finding and more timely reporting.
“NCDC Rapid Response Teams of trained doctors and scientists continue to provide on-site outbreak investigation and control support to affected states.
The NPHCDA has also successfully led vaccination in Zamfara and in Katsina targeting persons between ages two to 29 years in the priority council areas in both states. Preparations are at advanced stages for the next round of vaccination in priority wards and local government areas in Sokoto State. Distribution of medicines and other essential commodities to treat persons with meningitis in key affected states is also ongoing,” the agencies stated.
The CSM National Emergency Operations Centre at the NCDC is leading the national coordination and support for the outbreak response in affected states.
The Incident Manager of the response, Dr. John Oladejo, said: “We are grateful to all Rapid Response Team members, including government agency and partner staff who have remained at their different field posts, through the Easter period working on this outbreak response and control.”
On the need to ensure citizens are continuously engaged on the response, the Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, added: “The NCDC will continue to engage proactively through all our channels of communication online and offline.”