“We are fully committed to controlling the outbreak,” says NCDC DG Dr. Jide Idris
Nigeria is grappling with a severe outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), which has claimed 85 lives in 22 states, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) ramping up efforts to curb further spread. As of March 23, 2024, a total of 1,625 cases have been recorded, and the NCDC has activated its National Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to oversee the response.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, spoke about the urgency of the situation, highlighting that the affected states, including Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, and Zamfara, have reported the highest case numbers, making up the bulk of the confirmed cases. “We have mobilized resources and collaborated with national and international partners to ensure a rapid, coordinated response to this outbreak,” Dr. Idris explained.
With cases reported across 93 local government areas, Dr. Idris confirmed that 49 of these LGAs have documented laboratory-confirmed cases. The NCDC is working alongside organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to enhance surveillance, treatment, and vaccination efforts.
The outbreak has a notably high case fatality rate of 5%, higher than previous years. Children between the ages of 5 and 14 remain the most vulnerable, with the outbreak primarily driven by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NmC).
“The disease continues to spread, and factors like overcrowding, delayed health-seeking behavior, and limited healthcare access in affected communities have made the situation more challenging,” Dr. Idris added. He urged local governments to intensify public health campaigns and ensure widespread vaccination coverage in high-risk areas.
As the meningitis belt spans northern Nigeria, the outbreak is expected to continue through the dry season months, with the NCDC urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and seek prompt medical attention at the first signs of infection.
