A total of 1,114 people have died in 22 weeks of meningitis outbreak in Nigeria which hit the country in November 2016.
It was gathered that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control stated the outbreak which has been ravaging the country for 22 weeks has affected four additional local government areas bringing the total affected local governments to 226 compared to what was obtainable last month.
Premium Times reports that Zamfara state recorded the first case of the latest meningitis and has recorded the highest casualty; followed by Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi and Yobe, which have reached the alert/epidemic threshold.
A total of 14,005 suspected cases have been identified from 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory so far.
The increase in the number of suspected cases was attributed to an increased knowledge of the case definition for the disease by the health agency.
Many health professionals at inception of the outbreak had missed the epidemiology of the disease when it first presented itself thereby making government intervention in providing vaccines to combat the spread of the disease late.
The health agency said the case management of CSM, like other disease conditions, follows a sequence of case detection, laboratory confirmation, treatment using the preferred drug of choice and supportive care.
In order to prevent future outbreak of the disease since CSM is a seasonal event of public health concern, the agency said there is a need for intensive and periodical community sensitisation on the disease.
The agency also said there is the need for early presentation and use of the public health facilities for immediate and proper treatment.
