Nigeria: 2023/2024 Meningitis

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Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/02/...-38-in-jigawa/

Suspected meningitis outbreak kills 38 in Jigawa
February 17, 2023

Dutse— No fewer than 38 persons have died of suspected Cerebrospinal Meningitis, CSM, in Jigawa State, an official has confirmed.

Dr Salisu Muazu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, told newsmen in Dutse, yesterday, that the state recorded a total of 398 suspected cases between October 2022 to date...

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Source: https://punchng.com/meningitis-chole...ll-for-action/

Meningitis, cholera kill 88, experts call for action
27th March 2023

...Also, the situation report obtained from the website of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention showed that there were 157 confirmed cases of meningitis in the country from October 2022 till March 5, 2023.

A total of 628 suspected cases of meningitis, including 52 deaths, have been reported from 21 states and 66 Local Government Areas in the country.

Meanwhile, the CFR stands at 8.3 per cent...

...The report read in part, “Age group 5 -14 years was the most affected age group. Males were 62 per cent, females were 38 per cent.

“Ninety-One per cent of all cumulative cases were from four states – Jigawa (509 cases), Bauchi (23 cases), Zamfara (22 cases), and Oyo (14 cases).

“Ten LGAs across five states, Jigawa (7), Bauchi (1), Oyo (1), Plateau (1) and Zamfara (1), reported more than five cases each this CSM seasons 2022/2023.”...

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Source: https://punchng.com/meningitis-kills-118-in-22-states/

Meningitis kills 118 in 22 states
22nd April 2023
By Lara Adejoro

Cerebrospinal meningitis has killed at least 118 persons in 22 states across 79 Local Government Areas in the country.

This is according to the data from October 2022 to April 2, 2023, released by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention released on Saturday...

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Meningitis - Nigeria

27 April 2023

Situation at a glance

Between 1 October 2022 and 16 April 2023, Nigeria reported a total of 1686 suspected cases of meningitis, including 124 deaths, for a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 7%.


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. Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus) are the main causative agents for meningitis. Vaccines can help prevent meningococcal disease.


Description of the situation

From 1 October 2022 to 16 April 2023, a total of 1686 suspected cases, 532 confirmed cases and 124 deaths (CFR: 7%) have been reported from 81 local government areas (LGAs) in 22 out of 36 administrative states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Nigeria.

Males account for 57% (n = 961) of total suspected cases. The highest proportion of reported cases is among children aged 1 to 15 years. Jigawa state accounts for 74% (n = 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 (NmC), while 13 cases (5.4%) were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, and only one case (0.4%) by Haemophilus influenzae. For 232 samples the result was negative, and for two the result is pending. In the last five weeks alone (epidemiological weeks 11-15), 41 out of 140 samples tested (29%) were positive for NmC. The confirmed cases were reported from eight states including Jigawa (231), Zamfara (six), Yobe (five), Benue (one), Gombe (one), Katsina (one), Oyo (one), and Sokoto (one).

Fig. 1. Map indicating meningitis cases (n = 1686 suspected cases) between 1 October 2022 and 16 April 2023



Source: Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC)

Jigawa state consists of 27 LGAs, of which 25 have reported at least one suspected case. There have been 66 deaths in Jigawa state. During the current outbreak, Maigatari LGA and Sule-tankarkar LGA have both crossed the epidemic threshold of 10 suspected cases per 100 000 population and account for 60% of the total reported cases, with 505 and 247 cases respectively.

The CFR for this outbreak is 7% and 5% at the national and Jigawa state level, respectively.

Fig. 2. Weekly distribution of meningitis cases (n = 1686 suspected cases) between 1 October 2022 and 16 April 2023



Epidemiology of the disease

Meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating disease and remains a major public health challenge. The disease can be caused by many different pathogens including bacteria, fungi or viruses, but the highest global burden is seen with bacterial meningitis.

Several different bacteria can cause meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis are the most frequent ones. N. meningitidis, causing meningococcal meningitis, is the one with the potential to produce large epidemics.

Meningococcal meningitis is transmitted from person to person through droplets of respiratory and throat secretions, usually by asymptomatic carriers. Close, prolonged contact with an infected person, or living with a carrier, facilitates the spread of the disease. The average incubation period is four days but can range between two and 10 days.

The extended meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa, stretching from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east (26 countries) and including the northern part of Nigeria, has the highest disease rates. Meningitis in these countries follows a seasonal pattern, being most common during the dry season (December through June) with a peak between March and April, when there is persistent low air humidity and high dust loads that are believed to damage the pharyngeal mucosa and ease the colonization of the nasopharyngeal epithelium by the meningococci. Seasonal epidemics vary in size from year to year.

Response measures implemented during an outbreak, including improved case finding and management as well as mass vaccination campaigns, contribute to outbreak control.

Meningococcal meningitis remains a public health concern, in Nigeria, with outbreaks reported in recent years. With support from WHO, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is implementing response measures at the national level. These include vaccination, surveillance, active case finding, sample testing, and case management.


Public health response


With support from WHO, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is implementing response measures at the national level. These include:

• Daily coordination meetings being held at state and LGA levels since December 2022;
• Surveillance activities with rapid response teams continuing to conduct active case search;
• Case management activities at public health centres in affected LGAs;
• Vaccination activities in 17 high-priority wards in the priority LGAs of Maigatari, Sule-tankarkar, Gumel and Gagarawa – all in Jigawa state.

WHO risk assessment


Nigeria has implemented interventions to combat meningitis, including introducing the meningococcal A (MenA) conjugate vaccine against NmA from 2011-2022. Through preventive campaigns, Nigeria has vaccinated over 100 million people aged 1 to 29 years, and the vaccine has been included in the country’s routine immunization schedule since 2019. Among MenA vaccinated populations in countries of the meningitis belt, the incidence of serogroup A meningitis has declined by more than 99%, and no serogroup A case has been confirmed since 2017. However, there are still annual reports of meningitis cases in the country that are associated mostly with meningococcus serogroup C (NmC).

Insecurity, particularly in Northeast Nigeria, affects vaccination coverage, especially in areas controlled by non-state armed groups. At the national level, immunization coverage remains suboptimal at 50% as of 2021.

Licensed vaccines against meningococcal, pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae diseases have been available for many years. These bacteria have several different strains (known as serotypes or serogroups), and vaccines are designed to protect against the most harmful strains. Over time, there have been major improvements in strain coverage and vaccine availability, but no universal vaccine against these infections exists.

Additionally, in November 2022, an outbreak of meningitis was confirmed in the Zinder region of Niger. This region borders Jigawa, which is the worst-affected state in Nigeria. The risk of cross-border transmission is high due to the population movement across the border.

Based on the above information, the overall risk of meningitis in Nigeria is assessed as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low at the global level.


WHO advice


Preventing meningitis through vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the burden and impact of the disease by delivering long-lasting protection. The anticipated rollout of multivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines is a public health priority to eliminate bacterial meningitis epidemics in the African meningitis belt.

Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in managing all types of meningococcal disease. Appropriate case management, active community-based case-finding, and reactive mass vaccination of affected populations are necessary in response to epidemics. Currently, there is an ongoing reactive vaccination campaign. To guide further response activities, it is crucial to monitor the spread of the disease to new areas, including considering further vaccine requests if appropriate. Timeliness of the reactive campaign is essential, with the goal being to initiate it within four weeks of crossing the epidemic threshold.

WHO does not recommend any restriction on travel and trade to Nigeria based on the currently available information.

...

https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON454

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Source: https://punchng.com/meningitis-kille...-2023-says-fg/


Meningitis killed 190 in 2023, says FG
12th January 2024
By Gift Habib

The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians to the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and three membranes (meninges) surrounding one’s brain and spinal cord.

The government said the warning became necessary as the disease is more prevalent during the dry season, which comes with dust, winds, and cold nights.

The disease claimed 190 lives across the country last year, according to the FG.

The Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Ifedayo Adetufa, revealed that Nigeria recorded 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 statistics.

The NCDC boss said the highest burden of CSM in Nigeria occurs in the “Meningitis Belt,” which includes all the 19 states in the North, the FCT, and some southern states, such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun.

Adetufa, in a public health advisor issued on Thursday, explained that despite significant progress in vaccination over the last few years, CSM remains a priority disease and an ever-present public health threat in Nigeria...

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Source: https://www.channelstv.com/2024/02/2...in-yobe-state/

Suspected Meningitis Outbreak Kills 20 Students In Yobe State
A similar outbreak had killed many residents of Degubi community in Fika Local Government Area of the state in April 2023.
By Musa Mingyi
Updated February 28, 2024

Twenty students have died in three boarding girls’ secondary schools and the Federal Government Girls’ College in Potiskum and Fika local government areas of Yobe State from a suspected outbreak of meningitis.

The Yobe State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Mohammed Sani-Idris told journalists that “20 students have been confirmed dead in the last few weeks from the suspected meningitis outbreak across some boarding secondary schools in Potiskum and Fika local government areas. Many have been hospitalized but now discharged”.

He explained that after the outbreak at the secondary schools, “I as Commissioner, my Permanent secretary and the Executive Secretary of the State’s Science Technical Board as well as the Chairman of the Teaching Service Board have relocated to Potiskum temporarily to ensure the disease does not escalate”....

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Meningitis: Yobe Records 214 Cases, 8 Students Hospitalised, 206 Quarantined
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By Habibu Gimba
Thu, 29 Feb 2024 6:35:43 WAT

No fewer than 214 cases of cerebrospinal meningitis have been recorded in Yobe State schools, with eight students in critical conditions, while 206 others have been quarantined.

The disease killed at least 20 students in the Government Science Technical College; Government Girls Science Technical College and Federal Government Girls College, all in Potiskum LGA, on Tuesday.

The cases were also recorded in Fune and Fika LGAs and several students admitted to the specialist hospital in Potiskum.
...

https://dailytrust.com/meningitis-yobe-records-214-cases-8-students-hospitalised-206-quarantined/

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Source: https://tribuneonlineng.com/meningit...gas-in-jigawa/

Meningitis outbreak confirmed across six LGAs in Jigawa
by Adamu Adamu
March 2, 2024

he director of the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHC), Dr Shehu Sambo, has confirmed a cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) outbreak in six local government areas of the state.

The director made the confirmation while answering questions for Online Tribune in Dutse, Jigawa State’s capital, shortly after flagging off the 2024 Polio Immunization exercise at the palace of the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hamim Nuhu Sunusi.

Dr. Shehu Sambo explained that cases of the disease had been recorded early last week in some local government areas in the northern part of the state...

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Source: https://tribuneonlineng.com/gombe-go...itis-in-state/

Gombe govt confirms outbreak of meningitis in state
by Ishola Michael
March 2, 2024

The Gombe State Government has clarified that there are indications of the presence of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) in the state.

The declaration was made by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, who clarified that following reports of a strange disease in Nafada Local Government, the government swiftly investigated the situation. The observed symptoms suggested Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM).

The Commissioner, therefore, issued a stern advisory, urging residents to report any suspected diseases to the nearest health facility immediately for prompt action and intervention...

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Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regio...k-in-yobe.html


Over 500 recover from meningitis outbreak in Yobe
The first suspected case was reported on 24 December 2023 and confirmed on 26 January.
byAgency Report
March 11, 2024

No fewer than 564 patients out of the 636 recorded cases of meningitis outbreak in Yobe have recovered, an official has said.

The Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, Primary Healthcare Management Board, Haruna Umar, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Damaturu.

Mr Umar said that 22 deaths had been recorded with 564 patients fully recovered while the remaining 50 were being observed and managed at isolation centres

He said that the first suspected case was reported on 24 December 2023 and confirmed on 26 January.

Also, he highlighted that the 636 cases were recorded across six local government areas of Machina, Nangere, Fika, Fune, Potiskum and Gujba...

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Source: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/n...-state-nigeria

WHO Combats Cerebrospinal Meningitis Outbreak in Yobe State, Nigeria
20 March 2024

Yobe, 20 March 2024 - In the wake of a concerning Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) outbreak in Yobe State, Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) has swiftly mobilized its technical expertise to aid local health authorities in containing the spread of the disease.

Cerebrospinal Meningitis, potentially fatal illness characterized by inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, poses a significant public health threat, particularly in a state already dealing with the disease alongside a protracted humanitarian crisis.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, WHO has stepped in to provide essential support and guidance by deploying 107 Northeast Humanitarian Health Emergency Experts and Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) Officers to Yobe state to support the health authorities on the ground to mitigate the impact of the outbreak.

In his remark, the State Ministry of Health, the Commissioner for Health, Yobe state, Dr Lawan Muhammad Gana, appreciated WHO for its leadership as the lead agency for health and its role in coordinating the response to containing the outbreak.

“WHO’s deployment of the team of experts to support the local health authorities’ response to the CSM outbreak is timely and much needed. With the level of experience hand present in the state, we are optimistic in no distant future, we will contain the outbreak and possibly avert future occurrences. We will work together and ensure things are done differently to contain the outbreak, thereby saving the lives of the state's most vulnerable and affected persons.” Said Dr Gana.

As of a recent update, the Yobe state has reported about 1,186 suspected cases, 60 confirmed cases, and 38 deaths in Potiskum, Nangere, Fune, Fika, Gujba, Damaturu, Gulani, and Machina Local Government Areas...