A total of 118 deaths have been linked to cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) within 21 states in Nigeria. .
The deaths were recorded between 2022 and April 2, 2023, according to a report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The NCDC also listed in the report 22 states of Nigeria where the disease may breakout.
According to the NCDC, the states include Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Imo, Gombe, Ebonyi, Borno, Benue, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Adamawa, Abia, Yobe, Taraba, Sokoto, Plateau, Oyo, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi.
A breakdown of cases of CSM in some affected states reported by NCDC showed that Jigawa had recorded 1,064 cases; Yobe 234 cases; Zamfara 36 cases; Bauchi 23 cases and Adamawa 21 cases.
The NCDC’s report indicated that the five states had 93 per cent of all the cumulative cases.
The report also revealed that 14 local government areas of Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi and Zamfara reported more than 10 cases of CSM each during the 2022/2023 CSM season.
The NCDC’s report showed that 57 per cent males and 43 per cent females made up the CSM reported cases.
It disclosed that the CSM outbreak had persisted in Jigawa State since week 40 (2022), adding that 11 out of the 22 local government areas of the state had been affected.
The NCDC noted that as a proaction against suspected breakout of CSM in Yobe State, the state is being given necessary support to generate enough surveillance/laboratory data/evidence to make a request for vaccines.
Towards containing the spread of CSM, the national multi-sectoral Meningitis Technical Working Group (TWG), has continued to monitor response across states, according to the NCDC’s report.