By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said that Seven hundred and sixty-two (762) persons across the country have died of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) and Lassa fever in the last two years.
Dr Jide Idris, the agency’s Director General disclosed this in Abuja while giving an update on the Lassa fever and meningitis outbreaks.
According to Idris, 361 meningitis-related deaths occurred across 174 local government areas in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while Lassa fever accounted for 401 fatalities in 28 states, adding that Nigeria saw 4,915 suspected meningitis cases, with 380 confirmed cases during the same period.
Idris further explained that weather conditions like the dry season that brings dust, winds, cold nights, and frequent upper respiratory tract infections, increase the risk of infection, especially with crowding and poor ventilation.
According to him, 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. He stressed that a total of 2,281,750 doses of meningitis vaccines (Men5CV—ACWYX) have been administered in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, covering 134 wards in the 13 LGAs.
He said the campaign targeted individuals aged 1-29 years, comprising 70% of the population. Nigeria recorded 3,372 Lassa fever cases between 2022 and 2024 and 401 deaths from the disease between 2023 and 2024.
“In 2022, Nigeria reported 1,067 confirmed cases across 27 states and 112 LGAs.
“In 2023, 28 states and 114 LGAs reported confirmed cases, with 9,155 suspected cases, 1,270 confirmed cases, and 227 deaths.”
As of October 13, 2024, 8,569 suspected cases, 1,035 confirmed cases, and 174 deaths have been reported across 28 states and 129 LGAs” he said.
