Meningitis Epidemic: The Important Things You Must Know!

A Nigerian medical practitioner and seasoned columnist, has penned an enlightening and educating piece on the
Meningitis Epidemic currently killing people in the country.

“Doc, you said meningitis has a vaccine. Why are Nigerians, still dying yearly from meningitis?” That was James Bitrus (not real
names) from Abuja. Yes, I had discussed meningitis severally, and its possible prevention through vaccination, yet every
year, hundreds of people die in Nigeria, of this killer – Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM).

Examples ;
1) In Abuja, meningitis killed 4 children in Durumi-Garki, as at Thursday, March 30, 2017.
2) The death toll as a result of meningitis epidemic in Sokoto State, has now risen to 41, Health Commissioner Dr Balarabe Kakale
disclosed this to Journalists on Sunday, April 2, 2017. The deaths were recorded out of 600 clinically confirmed cases of meningitis
in the eight worst-hit Local Government Areas. They are Rabah, Kebbe, Tureta, Gada,
Dande/Shuni, Wamakko, Kware and Bodiga.

• Dr Kakale said: “the epidemic was caused by the type “C” strain of meningitis, and not
the type “A” strain which the people of the State had hitherto developed immunity for.

This new strain of meningitis is deadlier than the dreaded Ebola disease, as it kills within four to six hours of afflicting a patient.”

3) 328 deaths recorded so far of the deadly meningitis, as at Friday March 31, 2017. In a press release by Mrs Boade Akinola – Director Media and PRO Federal Ministry of
Health. It was said that Cerebro-Spinal- Meningitis(CSM), has spread across the Country, mostly affecting States in the part of
Nigeria, which fell within the African Meningitis Belt (AMB).

4) As at Friday March 31, 2017 about 90 Local Government Areas, in 16 States have been affected. These include Zamfara, Kano,
Kastina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nasarawa, Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Osun Cross River, Lagos and Plateau.

5) The epidemic of meningitis was not unique to only Nigeria, but had also spread to neighbouring West African Countries like
Niger, Chad, Cameroun, Togo and Burkina Faso.

6) According to statistics from the Federal Ministry of Health, 2,524 people have been affected across the 16 States, 131 samples
confirmed in the laboratory, with majority being meningitis “type C”, and as stated earlier, 328 deaths recorded as at Friday
March 31, 2017.

7) Federal Ministry of Health, also issued health advice for prevention of spread of meningitis which included a) Avoidance of
overcrowding. b) Sleeping in well ventilated places. c) Avoidance of close and prolonged contact with cases of meningitis. d) Proper
disposal of respiratory and throat
secretions. e) Strict observation of hand hygiene. f) Reduction in hand shaking, kissing, sharing utensils or medical interventions such as mouth resuscitation.

8) Federal Ministry of Health continued by stating that self-medication should be
avoided, and appropriate vaccination for meningococcal stereotype should be taken
at Health Centers. Individuals should acquaint themselves with the basic knowledge of meningitis, in order to
prevent transmission.

9) Mrs Akinola lastly added that, people should seek early treatment, as all Federal
secondary and tertiary public health facilities have been directed to provide free
treatment to all meningitis patients. She also gave a comforting word to Nigerians, that the over-all actual rate of infection of meningitis, has begun to decline in some States, indicating that the end of the
epidemic is in sight.

• Yes I went into all these details, in explaining the Federal Ministry of Health press release, to allay the fears of all my patients, who have been panicking and
bombarding me with questions, of
meningitis this and that. All Nigerians should note that treatment of meningitis is free.

Now let me briefly summarize additional information on meningitis so as to fortify
our knowledge.

How do we define meningitis?
• Meningitis is defined as inflammation of the meninges, which surround the brain
and spinal cord. It is common in Northern Savanna of Africa. The disease is known as
“sankara” by the Hausas, which means stiff- neck. According to Prof Perry, it is greatly feared and is thought to be caused by evil
spirit.

Epidemiology of Meningitis.
• Close contact of people promotes transmission. Infected individuals usually carry the organism in their nose and throat
for sometime, varying from two weeks to 10 months.