Meningitis: Death toll rises to 745

Since the outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis, 745 persons have died and there have been 8,057 suspected cases, says the federal government.

This was made known in a statement by Lawal Bakare, the technical assistant, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“As of April 17, 2017 (Monday), 8,057 suspected cases of meningitis had been reported across the country; 230 (3 per cent) were laboratory confirmed,” the statement read.

“A total of 745 deaths (9.2 per cent) have been recorded. Of the 8,057 cases, 7,519 (93 per cent of cases) have occurred in the five states that have reached outbreak levels for CSM serotype C.”

The worst-hit states are Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi and Niger.

The statement further read: “At the national level and in the affected states, activities aimed at driving information in the grassroots, including advocacy meetings with religious leaders, civil society organisations, health professionals, entertainers and media organisations, continue.”

“The National Primary Health Care Development Agency successfully led vaccination in Zamfara and in Katsina states targeting persons between ages two and 29 years in the priority Local Government Areas in both states.

“Preparations are at advanced stages for the next round of vaccination in priority wards and local government areas in Sokoto State.”

Bakare added that the CSM national emergency operations centre at the NCDC had been leading the national coordination and support for the outbreak response in affected states.