NCDC Warns Of Potential Cerebrospinal Meningitis Outbreak
Due to the prevailing weather conditions in the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has released a public health advisory concerning cerebrospinal meningitis.
Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) is an acute inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
This disease becomes epidemic under certain circumstances, such as the dry season marked by dust, winds, cold nights, and a higher frequency of upper respiratory tract infections. These environmental factors, coupled with crowding and inadequate ventilation, increase the risk of infection.
In a statement on Thursday, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, the Director General of the NCDC, said that in 2022-2023, Nigeria recorded 2765 suspected and 303 confirmed cases, with 190 deaths across 140 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 30 states, including the Federal Capital Territory.
‘’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 and Osun,” the statement read.
Dr. Adetifa said the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Agency are actively engaged in efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to cases of CSM.
He pointed out that despite substantial progress in surveillance, diagnostic capabilities, and vaccination in recent years, CSM remains a prioritized disease and a significant public health threat.
In addressing the threat of cerebrospinal meningitis, the Director General of NCDC said the agency, in collaboration with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and partners, had implemented several measures.
These include alerting all state governments and public health authorities about the heightened risk of a CSM outbreak and emphasizing the need for resource mobilization for preparedness and response activities.
Other measures involve regular communication with states experiencing a high burden of CSM to assess their status, progress, and challenges; ongoing surveillance in all states through routine integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) and event-based surveillance (EBS); and awareness campaigns to educate the public on CSM prevention measures and recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease.
About Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)
The health advisory explained that meningitis could be triggered by bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, injuries, and certain drugs.
The transmission of meningitis typically occurs through person-to-person contact, including droplets from the nose and throat of infected individuals.
Symptoms of cerebrospinal meningitis include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, photophobia (pain when exposed to bright lights), neck stiffness, and altered levels of consciousness.
While meningitis can affect individuals of all ages, those most at risk include young children, especially those who are either under-immunized or not immunized at all.
Other vulnerable groups comprise individuals living in overcrowded households, smokers, those exposed to poor ventilation and indoor air pollution, and individuals with poor hygienic practices.
Health Advice to the Public
The NCDC therefore advised the public to receive the appropriate vaccinations necessary for protection against meningitis.
Also, individuals should avoid close and prolonged contact with a confirmed case of CSM, including relatives, overcrowding in households and refraining from smoking.
Practicing proper respiratory hygiene when coughing or sneezing, avoiding self-medication to prevent antimicrobial resistance, and ensuring proper diagnosis and treatment when necessary are other preventive measures.
Advice to Healthcare Workers
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention also cautioned healthcare workers to always adhere to standard infection prevention and control practices, maintain a high index of suspicion for cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), and promptly report all suspected cases to their local government Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer for immediate access to healthcare.
The agency emphasised that early identification and treatment of cases are more effective and could potentially save lives.
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