The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a total of 4,915 suspected cases of cerebrospinal meningitis from 24 states in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, resulting in 361 deaths and a case fatality rate of 7.3%.
The majority of cases (93%) were reported in five states: Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, and Gombe. The age group most affected is 5-15 years, with males accounting for 60% of total suspected cases.
According to the NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, there has been a significant increase in cases in the 2023/2024 season compared to the previous season, with a 157% rise in reported cases.
The dominant strain of the disease is Neisseria meningitides serogroup C, accounting for 90% of confirmed cases. The NCDC has collected 859 samples from suspected cases, with a 44% positivity rate. The agency is working to control the outbreak and mitigate the impact of the disease.
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