Nigeria Records 151 Meningitis Deaths Across 23 States

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 151 fatalities from Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in 23 states between October 2024 and March 2025.

The affected states include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Ekiti, FCT, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, and Yobe.

As of March 23, 2025, a total of 1,826 suspected cases were reported, with a case fatality rate of 8.3%. Of the 289 samples collected, 126 tested positive (44% positivity rate). The most affected age group is children aged 5–14, with males accounting for 60% of cases.

Ten states—Kebbi (881 cases), Katsina (158), Jigawa (147), Yobe (109), Sokoto (303), Gombe (47), Borno (36), Adamawa (27), Oyo (23), and Bauchi (66)—account for 94% of all suspected cases.

Additionally, 17 local government areas across nine states reported over ten cases each.

In the latest epidemiological report (Week 12), 315 new suspected cases were recorded in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Yobe, with 38 confirmed cases and 14 deaths (4.4% fatality rate). This marks a 65% decline from the previous week’s 418 cases.

The NCDC highlighted several obstacles towards fighting the disease, including:
– Shortage of trained medical personnel
– Lack of essential treatment supplies (e.g., ceftriaxone)
– Poor and inconsistent data reporting
– Weak health-seeking behavior due to high costs and remote locations
– Inadequate hygiene awareness campaigns

However, the NCDC is:
– Strengthening state-level coordination and data reporting
– Advocate for increased state funding for CSM response
– Distribute medical supplies nationwide
– Enhance laboratory testing and case management training
– Expand public health education on prevention

The agency urges improved surveillance and community engagement to curb further spread.