Meningitis outbreak: Physicians advice Nigerians on preventive measures

On Jan 10, 2024

According to physicians, Nigerians must embrace hygiene, have access to good water, and also get vaccinated against the infection, in order to prevent the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis in 2024.

An Epidemiologist and Professor of Public Health at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Adebayo Onajole, warned that the country might witness a rise in cases of CM especially in the disease’s hotspots if preventive measures are not consistently adhered to.

The World Health Organisation said, meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating disease and a major public health challenge, but vaccines can help to prevent meningococcal disease.

The experts noted that seasonal outbreaks are common during the hot, dry, and windy weather.

They said, Cerebrospinal Meningitis outbreak and spread would also depend on the level of utilisation of these available preventive and protective measures.

The health practitioners also disclosed that climate change and temperature may be important factors that may affect the transmission and spread of the infection in the year.

WHO’s report on meningitis in Nigeria shows that from October 1, 2022, to April 16, 2023, there were a total of 1686 suspected cases, 532 confirmed cases, and 124 deaths (CFR: 7%) reported from 81 local government areas in 22 out of 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory.

The WHO’s report indicates that males account for 57 percent (961) of total suspected cases, while the highest proportion of reported cases is among children aged between one and 15 years.

“Jigawa State accounts for 74 percent (1252) of all suspected cases, and this state borders the Zinder region in Niger, where a meningitis outbreak has been reported since October 2022.

“A total of 481 cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from patients in 18 states. Out of these samples, 247 tested positive for bacterial infection by PCR test. Among the positive cases, 226 (91%) were caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C, while 13 cases (5.4%) were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, and only one case (0.4%) by Haemophilus influenzae,” WHO added.

The physician said that if Nigeria does not pay attention to other factors that cause meningitis, the 124 deaths and seven percent case fatality ratio recorded in the previous year would be higher in the new year.

He said, “Another factor is immunisation. We need to advocate for immunization as a preventive and protective measure for people. Awareness should be created so that people will know about the diseases that come during this period so that they can be aware and prepared. This would help to moderate their activities.

“There is a vaccine and we need to tell the people that vaccination will reduce the incidence of CM. There are children and adult vaccines. For adults traveling to the CM hotspots, they can get vaccinated, but children have been put in the national vaccination program by the government.

“Also, without the availability of water, there will be problems.”

A Public Health Physician and Medical Director, at Federal College of Education, Akoka Medical Centre, Lagos, Dr Rotimi Adesanya said, “If we put all the necessary surveillance in place and practice good hygiene, with immunisation, CM will not spread to any part of the country if it breaks.

“Also, we need to increase our funding to national immunisation programs because that would help to protect people against it. We need to make our Primary Health Centres work and increase the staffing of the facilities.”