The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 151 fatalities from the ongoing cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak, with 1,826 suspected cases recorded across 23 states, representing an 8.3% case fatality rate.
The outbreak remains concentrated in ten states, accounting for 94% of cases, with Kebbi (881 cases), Sokoto (303), Katsina (158), Jigawa (147), and Yobe (109) being the worst affected.
Seventeen local government areas across nine states have reported more than ten suspected cases, including Gwandu (313), Tambuwal (155), and Aleiro (143).
During the latest reporting week, 315 new suspected cases emerged in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Yobe states, with 38 confirmed as bacterial meningitis – predominantly Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and W. The week saw 14 additional deaths, yielding a 4.4% case fatality rate.
Four LGAs – Gwandu, Aleiro, Jega, and Tambuwal – have surpassed epidemic thresholds, though the NCDC reports a 65% week-on-week reduction in new cases.
Cerebrospinal meningitis, an infection of the brain and spinal cord membranes, poses significant public health risks without prompt treatment, with bacterial forms being particularly severe.
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