NCDC TO DRIVE MASS VACCINATION AGAINST PREVALENT STRAIN OF MENINGITIS 07-03-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, says efforts are underway to commence mass vaccination against a new strain of Cerebral Meningitis which is currently prevalent in the country.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Olajide Idris, who made this known during a press briefing in Abuja on epidemic-prone diseases in Nigeria, stated that vaccines for the C-strain of meningitis strain C would soon be as readily available as those for A-strain.
Dr. Idris who decried the rising cases of Meningitis, Measles, Lassa fever, Cholera and Diphtheria outbreaks in various states noted that the centre would continue to work with the states to bring these trends under control.
‘’The agency has deployed rapid response teams and materials to some of the affected areas to provide medical care, conduct contact tracing, and implement control measures to contain the spread of these diseases’’.
On the unexplained deaths in Gombe and Yobe States, the Director-General attributed them to meningitis.
‘’The Gombe State Ministry of Health continues to mobilise resources to investigate and contain the situation by deploying medical teams to affected areas to provide immediate assistance, conduct thorough assessments, and implement necessary preventive measures’’.
In Yobe State, the Ministry of Health has been effectively and commendably responding to meningitis outbreak since 24th December 2023 with deployment of human and material resources for treatment and prevention of the disease’’.
Dr. Idris who stressed the need for more awareness on epidemic diseases, urged Nigerians to keep their environment clean and seek prompt medical attention to prevent fatalities.
He also advised healthcare workers to take necessary precautions when treating patients.
From January till date, there have been reported outbreaks of Lassa Fever in 24 states, with 3,213 suspected cases, 583 confirmed cases, and 108 deaths.
Meningitis cases have been reported in 22 states, with 1,402 suspected cases, 101 confirmed cases, and 123 deaths.
Diphtheria outbreaks have been reported in 12 states, with 3,587 suspected cases, 1,915 confirmed cases, and 33 deaths.
Reported cases of Measles have reached 2,157 with 1442 confirmed cases, and 14 deaths, while Cholera outbreak was reported in 15 states, with 318 suspected cases, 28 confirmed cases and 4 deaths.