Meningitis Epidemics: Death toll rises to 336

Vaccination for Meningitis [Photo Credit: SundiataPost]
A total of 2,997 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis have been reported in 16 States in Nigeria as at April 3, the Federal Government said on Tuesday.

Out of this figure, 146 have been confirmed by the laboratory, while 336 deaths have also been recorded.

The government said 823,970 doses of Meningitis C vaccines were being expected from the United Kingdom to support vaccination activities in other affected States.

THE PUNCH reported that the government had despatched what it called Outbreak Control Team, made up of local and foreign medical experts to Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Niger States, all in the North West, where there had been outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis.

F A statement issued in Abuja by the Technical Assistant (Communication) in NCDC, Dr. Lawal Bakare, also announced that the government has activated an Emergency Operations Centre to manage the ongoing outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis in five States North West
The EOC exercise was achieved through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, all parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Health and their partners.

Bakare said, “As at April 3, 2017, a total of 2,997 suspected cases of CSM have been reported in 16 States in Nigeria, of which 146 have been laboratory–confirmed. Unfortunately, 336 deaths have also been recorded. 

“We are confident that we have turned the tide, and with increasing vaccination activities, expect a reduction in number of cases. Importantly, lessons learned from this outbreak will help the country prepare for the future. A situation report is attached.”

Source: Punch

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