Meningitis deaths rise to 438

Suspected cases of meningitis reached 3,959 Friday evening, up from around 2,900, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). By April 5, a total 438 people have been killed across 19 states and 109 council areas in the latest outbreak of the disease, up from 336 announced on April 3. It comes as […]

Suspected cases of meningitis reached 3,959 Friday evening, up from around 2,900, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

By April 5, a total 438 people have been killed across 19 states and 109 council areas in the latest outbreak of the disease, up from 336 announced on April 3.

It comes as reactive vaccination continues in Zamfara for a target 300,000 people aged between two and 29 years.

NCDC said Friday evening the campaign had seen "early progress" as traditional rulers mobilised residents in their domain to receive the vaccine.

"The commitment of the traditional rulers has been evident here; they have helped mobilize their community members for this exercise," said NCDC head Chikwe Ihekweazu, who’s monitoring the campaign in Zamfara since it began on Wednesday.

"Indeed we see an opportunity for a sustainable initiative which will go beyond this response."

More vaccinations are scheduled in the future, but the current one in Zamfara will stretch till April 9.

An emergency operations centre was activated this week to handle response using an incidence case management system.

"Our work here is to put in place a sustainable process for responding to the current Meningitis Outbreak," incident manager John Oladejo said.

"We are happy to say that this is truly a partnership focused on successfully stopping the outbreak. We will work round the clock to implement rapid response plans and deal with emerging issue."