The disease continues to pose a threat to Nigeria’s public health.
As one of the countries within the Meningitis Belt, Nigeria has recorded severe epidemic outbreaks in the past. Until recently these outbreaks were caused mostly by Neisseria meningitides serogroup A (NmA). These outbreaks occur in the dry season, due to its low humidity and dusty conditions, and usually end with the onset of the rainy season. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), thus far in 2022, Nigeria has recorded, 961 cases of suspected CSM, and 56 deaths have been reported throughout 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory across 159 Local Government Areas affected.
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. The diseases can be transmitted through physical contact with infected persons. Most common symptoms of Meningitis’ are a stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity to light, disorientation, headaches, and vomiting. Meningitis is always a medical emergency and must be treated as such. It is curable if discovered in the early stage.
The global community set out plans to counter the disease.
The disease remains a major public health problem in several countries around the globe. Despite significant progress in surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and vaccine development in recent years, it has been occurring with frequent epidemics posing a challenge to people, health systems, economies and societies. Owing to these, NCDC and Prevention has joined the global roadmap to eliminate meningitis by 2030. On the worldwide strategy for Defeating Meningitis by 2030 has been endorsed by the World Health Assembly.
In Nigeria, where meningitis is still an issue to public health, despite widespread efforts to combat it, the alignment and local translation of this road plan appears to be paramount to the country. To achieve the goal of “Towards a world free of meningitis” by the year 2030, this plan lays out three main objectives: the complete eradication of bacterial meningitis epidemics; the reduction of cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis by 50% and deaths by 70%; and decrease in impairment and enhancement of quality of life after any causes of meningitis infection
NCDC has developed technical bodies to counter outbreaks.
To improve readiness, detection, and response to meningitis outbreaks, the NCDC continues to collaborate with the affected states to enhance surveillance in awareness of the underreporting of cases, and to implement strategic preventative and control initiatives. This is being done with the support of partners. The NCDC has an active National CSM Technical Working Group that has worked together with partners and other stakeholders to establish meningitis response guidelines, checklists and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
Furthermore, a National CSM Epidemic Preparedness & Response strategy has also been developed with the support of partners. Currently, the nation has a network of 29 public labs capable of diagnosing CSM across the country. For the purpose of meningitis prevention and control, the NCDC continues to provide technical support for state planning and capacity development to states. To accomplish the goal of a “meningitis-free world”, Nigerians and political leaders at all levels of government must be fully committed.
NCDC urges government and the citizens’ inclusion.
In order to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against meningitis, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) continues its close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, its sister agency the Nigeria Primary Health Care Development Agency, and other partners. Additionally, the institution is making significant efforts to improve the monitoring of subnational meningitis, particularly in areas that have a high incidence rate of cases.
Related Link
Wikipedia: Website
The content on AskNigeria.com is given for general information only and does not constitute a professional opinion, and users should seek their own legal/professional advice. There is data available online that lists details, facts and further information not listed in this post, please complete your own investigation into these matters and reach your own conclusion. AskNigeria.com accepts no responsibility for losses from any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of content contained in this website and/or other websites which may be linked to this website.
Fact Checking Tool – Snopes.com
Globally this disease has been a menace. It is important the World Health Organization quickly start working on the research and ways to cure this meningitis before it gets very bad.
Its really pleasing seeing how the NCDC are pulling up with plans and organized body. With this the 2030 plan to eradicate seems achievable.
The threat of this disease is increasing the WHO need to start plan how to eradicate this disease and find cure so people life can be safe and safety measure should be put in place
I commend the World Health Organization for making significant efforts to improve the monitoring of subnational meningitis, particularly in areas that have a high incidence rate of cases. It’s really a good thing.
Nigeria, being one of the countries located within the Meningitis Belt, has in the past documented the occurrence of major epidemic outbreaks.
Because the diseases are contagious and can be passed on through direct contact with sick individuals, we must stay away from those who are ill.
Nigeria, being one of the countries in the Meningitis Belt, has previously experienced major epidemic outbreaks. Until recently, the majority of these epidemics were caused by Neisseria meningitides serogroup A. (NmA).
Infected people can transmit the diseases. Stiff neck, high temperature, light sensitivity, disorientation, headaches, and vomiting are frequent meningitis symptoms.
Meningitis is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, the most common of which are a stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity to light, disorientation, headaches, and vomiting.
Meningitis is always a serious medical problem that needs to be handled as quickly as possible. If caught in its early stages, it can be treated successfully.
The disease continues to be a significant threat to people’s health in a number of countries all over the world. Despite substantial advancements in surveillance
The organization is exerting a great amount of effort to enhance the surveillance of subnational meningitis, particularly in regions that have a high incidence rate of cases.
The National Center for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) maintains an active National CSM Technical Working Group that has worked together with partners and other stakeholders to produce meningitis response standards.
It has been happening with recurrent epidemics, offering a challenge to people, health systems, economies, and civilizations. These problems have been occurring.
Government should intensity effort to completely eradicate this deadly disease.
Al this type of diseases are not suppose to be in the Nigeria again but because of poverty and low enlightenment advocacy they are still continue to affect the citizens.
meningitis has always been a problem and the government needs to do more awareness and continuos treatment and readiness detection and prevention.
Let us be realistic about the outbreak of meningitis in Nigeria. Our government is not doing enough. They need to do the needful to be able to curb the spread of these diseases. The implemention of National CSM Epidemic preparedness and response strategy is not enough to tackle these but every necessary things should be put in place to put an end to it.
So times i ask myself if truly we have government or the devil from hell ruling this country or if the country is curse. The present government no care about us even if everybody is effected with disease or not. bad Government
The disease remains a major public health problem in several countries around the globe. Despite significant progress in surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and vaccine development in recent years, it has been occurring with frequent epidemics posing a challenge to people, health systems, economies and societies.
To improve readiness, detection, and response to meningitis outbreaks, the NCDC continues to collaborate with the affected states to enhance surveillance in awareness of the underreporting of cases, and to implement strategic preventative and control initiatives