Between 2022 and 2023, Nigeria recorded a total of 303 confirmed cases and 190 deaths from Cerebrospinal Meningitis(CSM) across 29 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
CSM occurs when there is an acute inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord.
According to a public health advisory released Thursday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), 2,765 suspected cases of CSM were also recorded across 140 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the affected 29 states and FCT.
NCDC noted that the highest burden of CSM in Nigeria occurs in the “Meningitis Belt”, which includes all 19 states in the Northern region, the FCT, and some southern states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun.
The disease control centre explained that CSM is an epidemic-prone disease with cases reported all year round in Nigeria. It added that weather conditions like the dry season with dust, winds, cold nights, and frequent upper respiratory tract infections, increase the risk of infection.
The report shows that the 5 to 14-year-old age group was the most affected and 54 per cent of the total suspected cases were males.
NCDC said it is working to prevent, detect, and respond to cases of CSM in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Despite significant progress in surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and vaccination over the last few years, NCDC noted that CSM remains a priority disease and a public health threat in Nigeria with annual outbreaks in high-burden states.
NCDC also highlighted strategies implemented to ensure enhanced coordination, collaboration, and communication for CSM response in Nigeria in collaboration with MDAs and partners through the National CSM Technical Working Group (TWG).
At the beginning of the season, all State Governments and public health authorities were alerted to the heightened risk of a CSM outbreak and the need for resource mobilisation for preparedness and response activities,” NCDC noted.
