Death toll from meningitis outbreak reaches 151, says NCDC

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported that the death toll from the ongoing meningitis outbreak has reached 151, with 1,826 suspected cases reported across 23 states. This translates to a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 8.3%.

According to the agency, the majority of suspected cases, approximately 94%, are concentrated in ten states: Kebbi (881 cases), Katsina (158), Jigawa (147), Yobe (109), Gombe (47), Sokoto (303), Borno (36), Adamawa (27), Oyo (23), and Bauchi (66).

This is contained in the Cerebrospinal Meningitis Situation Report for Epidemiological week 12.

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A total of 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across nine states have reported more than ten suspected cases during the current season of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM). They include; Gwandu (313), Tambuwal (155), Aleiro (143), Katsina (69), Kankia (54), Sule-Tankarkar (29), Jega (61), Fune (28), Maiduguri (29), Jahun (15), Birnin kudu (13), Nafada (13), Nguru (53), Bauch (25), Gamawa (20), Taura (14), Sule-Tankarkar (30), Birnin kudu (13), Nafada (13) and Yola South (13).

In the reporting week, 315 new suspected cases were documented across three states, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Yobe. Of these, 38 cases tested positive, with 23 attributed to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NmC), 14 to serogroup W (NmW), and one to Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn). A total of 14 deaths were recorded in this period, resulting in a CFR of 4.4%.

The agency reported that four LGAs, Gwandu, Aleiro, Jega, and Tambuwal—have surpassed the epidemic threshold, prompting heightened concern and response.

However, the NCDC reports a 65% decrease in the number of suspected cases in Epidemiological Week 12 compared to the previous week.

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Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) is an infection of the protective membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. The most common bacterial causes of meningitis are Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal meningitis), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal meningitis), and Haemophilus influenzae. It can also be caused by viruses, fungi, or parasites.