190 PEOPLE DIED FROM MENINGITIS IN 2023, ACCORDING TO FG

Babatunji Wusu –

The federal government has stated that meningitis killed 190 individuals in 2023.
Cerebrospinal meningitis is on the rise, according to Ifedayo Adetufa, the director general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, who announced this discovery in a newly published public health alert. He clarified that the reason for the warning was that the sickness is more common during the dry season, which is accompanied by winds, dust, and chilly nights.

He said that Nigeria registered 2,765 suspected and 303 confirmed meningitis cases with 190 deaths across 140 local government areas in 30 states, including the Federal Capital Territory in its 2022/2023 data.

Despite recent considerable increases in vaccination rates, Adetufa noted in the public health advice posted on Thursday that CSM remains a priority illness and a persistent hazard to public health in Nigeria.

He claimed that in areas with high infection rates, communities, health systems, people, and the economy are all at risk from the disease’s periodic outbreaks.

On the other hand, Adetufa assured Nigerians that the government is working to detect, identify, and treat the ailment.

He noted that numerous initiatives have been put in place by the NCDC to guarantee better coordination, collaboration, and communication for response throughout the nation, in conjunction with ministries, departments, agencies, and partners through the CSM TWG.

He said, “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.

“Routine meetings of the national multi-sectoral CSM TWG (were held) to coordinate prevention and preparedness activities.

“Regular communication (were held) with high-burden states to ascertain status, progress, and challenges.”