The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a total of 4,915 suspected cases of cerebrospinal meningitis across 24 states during the 2023/2024 season.
According to The PUNCH, the announcement was made by the Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, during a press briefing held on Wednesday in Abuja.
Idris explained that the outbreak has so far led to 361 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 7.3%.
Providing further insight, Idris pointed out that 859 samples had been collected from suspected cases since the beginning of the outbreak. Of these, 378 were confirmed, indicating a 44% positivity rate.
He noted that ‘Neisseria meningitides’ serogroup C was responsible for the majority of the infections, making up 90% of the confirmed cases.
Other pathogens included Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) at 6%, Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) at 3%, and both Neisseria meningitides serogroups X and W, each accounting for 1%.
“A total of 859 samples were collected from the reported suspected cases since the beginning of the outbreak, and 378 were confirmed (44 per cent positivity rate). Neisseria meningitides serogroup C account for 90 per cent, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) six per cent, Spn – three per cent, NmX, and NmW one per cent each,” he said.
Idris emphasized that the age group most affected by the disease was between five and 15 years, while 60% of the total suspected cases were male.
He also highlighted that five states—Yobe (3,014 cases), Bauchi (517 cases), Jigawa (389 cases), Katsina (352 cases), and Gombe (316 cases)—accounted for 93% of all cases reported in the country.
“Age group five to 15 years were reported the most affected. Sixty per cent of the total suspected cases are male. The five most affected states are Yobe (3,014), Bauchi (517), Jigawa (389), Katsina (352), and Gombe (316), which account for 93 per cent of all cases reported,” he noted.
Comparing the current season with previous years, Dr. Idris revealed that the number of suspected cases had surged by 157%, jumping from 1,914 in the 2022/2023 season to 4,915 this year.
He further explained that the upward trend of cases in 2024 marks a significant increase when compared with the previous four years, 2020-2023.
“There has been an increase in several cases (4,915) by 157 per cent in the 2023/2024 season compared with (1,914) cases in the 2022/2023 season,” he stated, adding, “There is a high increase in the trend of cases in 2024 compared to the last four years (2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively).”
The sharp rise in cases underscores the urgency of addressing the ongoing outbreak, which has already impacted a substantial number of communities across Nigeria.
The NCDC continues to monitor the situation closely as it works with state and local health authorities to curb further spread and fatalities.
