The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says it has demonstrated a proactive approach in combating the cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak.

NCDC director-general Ifedayo Adetifa said on Thursday in Abuja that the approach included enhanced surveillance, vaccination campaigns, and public awareness.

He added that the centre also strengthened healthcare infrastructure to control the spread of the disease and protect the health of Nigerians. Mr Adetifa explained that “CSM occurs when there is acute inflammation of the covering of the brain and the spinal cord; an epidemic-prone

disease, with cases reported all year round.

“However, weather conditions like the dry season that comes with dust, wind, cold nights, and frequent upper respiratory tract infections increase the risk of infection, especially with crowding and poor ventilation,” Mr Adetifa explained.

He added, “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, Osun.”

He also mentioned that Nigeria recorded 2,765 suspected and 303 confirmed cases in 2022/2023, with 190 deaths across 140 local government areas in 30 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He, however, emphasised that “the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the NCDC, is working to prevent, detect and respond to cases of CSM.”

He said the National CSM Technical Working Group (TWG) had continued monitoring the disease trend to evolve a multi-sectoral response to tackling the menace.

Mr Adetifa said meningitis “remains a priority disease and ever-present public health threat in Nigeria, with annual outbreaks in high-burden

states that present a challenge for people, health systems, economies, and communities.”

He noted that at the beginning of the season, state governments and public health authorities were alerted to the heightened risk of a meningitis outbreak and the need for resource mobilisation for response activities.

Mr Adetifa stated, “While routine meetings of the National Multi-Sectoral CSM TWG coordinate prevention and preparedness activities in the country, regular communication with high-burden states is on to ascertain status, progress, and challenges.

“Also, there is ongoing surveillance through routine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and Event-Based Surveillance (EBS), as well as provision of offsite and onsite support to states for daily reporting and progress with response activities.”

(NAN)