In a follow-up on the meningococcal meningitis outbreak that began in Zamfara State last December, the number of cases has reached 13,420 suspected cases and 1069 deaths (8% CFR), according to  the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) today.

Image/GJD
Image/GJD

In the six most affected States — Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Yobe, Kebbi and Kano — a total of 16 LGAs have reach the alert threshold and are therefore under enhanced surveillance, while 32 LGAs have reached the epidemic threshold, with full outbreak investigation and control measures being implemented.

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C remains the predominant (65.4%) cause of meningitis amongst those who tested positive.

Despite the enormous numbers, the NCDC says the outbreak continues to decline in the most affected States thanks to vaccination campaigns in Zamfara and Sokoto States.

Efforts at securing more vaccines for the country are continuing with another batch of vaccines expected to arrive Nigeria in the next few days, just as mobilizing vaccines for other affected States continues to be a priority.

In addition to the vaccination campaigns, teams have been deployed to Sokoto and Zamfara States to help improve sample collection and transportation, laboratory testing of samples, the clinical care of meningitis patients, as well as building the needed capacity to control the outbreak.

Lastly, a national meningitis prevention campaign has commenced, prioritizing the States within the Africa meningitidis belt in Nigeria. This campaign will be driving prevention messages through the mass media, new media and community structures to reach households and communities in the 19 northern States of Nigeria, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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