Nigeria: Death Toll Rises,as Meningitis spreads to 16 States, 90 LGAs,

According to the Federal Government, not few than 328 persons had died from the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) that has affected 16 states and 90 Local Government Areas (LGAs). According to the statement, the affected states include Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nassarawa, Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba , Yobe, Kano, Osun, Cross Rivers, Lagos and Plateau. Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. This inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The causative agent is bacteria or viruses, but could also be a result of injury, cancer, or certain drugs. Knowing the specific cause is however important because the treatment differs depending on the cause. The health ministry also pointed out that the current outbreak of the disease known as known Neisseria Meningitides type C started in Zamfara State on November 2016. According to the ministry spokesperson, “Nigeria is currently experiencing an outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) that has spread across the country and mostly affecting states in the upper parts of the country which fall within the African Meningitis Belt. Other Countries that are facing similar outbreaks at the moment include our West-African Neighbours like Niger, Chad, Cameroun, Togo, and Burkina Faso. The larger African Meningitis Belt consists of 26 Countries that stretch from Senegal, Gambia and Guinea Bissau in the west coast to eastern countries of Eritrea and Ethiopia However people are advised to remain calm as Meningitis is both preventable and curable, even though the number of people and locations affected may continue to increase, according to the ministry, the actual rate of increase had begun to decline in some states indicating that the end of the epidemic is in sight. Source:This day Nigeria