NCDC claims 56 die of cerebrospinal meningitis in Nigeria

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), 56 people have died in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) this year, 2022.

The deaths resulted from 961 cases of suspected Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM).

Making the revelation on Thursday, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, the Director-General of NCDC, in a statement, explained that the organization had continued to work with affected States to improve surveillance given the underreporting of cases with the support of partners.

According to the Director-General, to strengthen preparedness, detection and response to meningitis outbreaks, the centre also executed strategic prevention and control activities.

He explained, “Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) is an epidemic-prone disease, with cases reported all year round in Nigeria. The highest burden occurs in the ‘Meningitis Belt’ of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. In Nigeria, the belt includes all 19 northern States, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and some Southern States.”

Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa stated that CSM remained a priority disease and an ever-present public health threat in several countries worldwide despite significant progress in surveillance, diagnostic capacity and vaccine development over the last few years.

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He said to this end, the NCDC joined the global community to launch the global roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030 on behalf of Nigeria.

The Director-General stated that the World Health Assembly in November 2020 approved a global roadmap as a strategy meant to defeat Meningitis by 2030.

He further explained that alignment and local translation of the roadmap are especially critical for Nigeria where meningitis remains one of the many public health challenges.