#Meningitis: What every Nigerian should know

THE Cerebrospinal Meningitis outbreak has claimed 336 lives, from a total of 2,997 suspected cases in the affected 16 states of the federation.

A situation report, on Tuesday, from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) revealed that 146 of the 2,997 suspected cases had been laboratory-confirmed.

The report said 336 deaths had been recorded as of Monday April 3; even as the Federal Government and its partners, both local and international donors had intensified response to effectively check the outbreak.

In terms of response, a total of 500,000 doses of Meningitis C vaccines have been distributed to some of the affected states for immediate outbreak response vaccination.

In a public advisory on the latest outbreak, the Federal Ministry of Health, explained that the outbreak of meningitis was mostly affecting states in the upper parts of the country which fall within the African Meningitis Belt.

The larger African Meningitis Belt consists of 26 countries that stretch from Senegal, Gambia and Guinea Bissau in the West Coast to eastern countries of Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Although this is not the first time or the worst epidemic ever faced by Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Health said the epidemic was being caused by Neisseria Meningitides type C rather than the known Meningitides Type A.

The worst CSM epidemics experienced in Nigeria occurred in 1996 when about 109,580 cases and 11,717 deaths were recorded, followed by 2003 with 4,130 cases and 401 deaths then in 2008 with 9,086 cases and 562 deaths.

But historical records and past experiences influenced health authorities in African countries, especially those within the African Meningitis Belt, the World Health Organisation and Development Partners to commence mass vaccination campaign using a new conjugate vaccine the MenAfriVac-A in about 16 out of the 26 vulnerable countries (including Nigeria). This resulted in a reduction of over 94 per cent incidence of the disease in most countries, thus significantly reducing the risk of type A.

National, President, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, Professor Tanimola Akande, described bacterial meningitis as a very serious infection that can be deadly.

According to him, meningitis is a life-threatening medical emergency, adding that death from meningitis could occur within a few days.

Although most people recover from meningitis, it can, however, leave in its trail permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing impairment, gait abnormalities and cognitive challenges.

Types of bacteria that can cause meningitis

These include, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group B Streptococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae and Listeria monocytogenes.

Signs and symptoms

Professor Akande stated that usually, people with meningitis have signs that include fever, stiffness of neck, headache, nausea, high irritability, reacting to light, and vomiting.

In newborns and babies, the symptoms of fever, headache, and neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to notice. The baby may be irritable, vomit, feed poorly, or appear to be slow or inactive.

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or over several days. Typically, they develop within three to seven days after exposure. Later symptoms of bacterial meningitis can be very serious and include seizures and coma.

The public advisory on the outbreak by the Federal Ministry of Health, however advised:

• Avoidance of overcrowding
• Sleep in well ventilated places
• Avoidance of close and prolonged contact with a case/s
• Proper disposal of respiratory and throat secretions
• Strict observance of hand hygiene and sneezing into elbow joint/sleeves
• Reduce hand shaking, kissing, sharing utensils or medical interventions such as mouth resuscitation.
• Vaccination with relevant sero-type of the meningococcal vaccine
• Self-medication should be avoided.

According to Professor Akande, ensuring good ventilation is important because bacterial meningitis can be transmitted by sneezing, coughing, or even living in crowded conditions from infected persons or carriers.

There is also the possibility of contracting the infection through kissing and sharing utensils, cutlery and toothbrushes. About one in 10 people carry meningococcal bacteria in their nose or throat without showing any signs or symptoms of the disease. These people can unknowingly transmit the bacteria to others.

He also stressed the importance of everyone acquainting themselves with at least the basic knowledge/understanding of meningitis and how it is transmitted and prevented.

According to him, individuals need to also promptly seek medical/health care as soon as meningitis or CSM-like illness is suspected

Meanwhile, the Federal Health Ministry had called on the general public to remain calm as the disease Cebro-spinal Meningitis (CSM) is both preventable and curable.

Although the cumulative number of people and locations affected may continue to increase, the actual rate of increase has begun to decline in some states indicating that the end of the epidemic is in sight.

Also, all Public Sector Hospitals (Secondary and Tertiary Hospitals) have been directed to provide free treatment for all cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis.