The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that a total of 762 deaths occurred across the country between 2023 and 2024 due to two deadly diseases—Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) and Lassa fever.
In a statement delivered in Abuja, Dr. Jide Idris, the Director-General of NCDC, provided an update on the outbreaks of the diseases, revealing that CSM alone accounted for 361 deaths across 174 local government areas in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Additionally, Lassa fever claimed 401 lives across 28 states.
Dr. Idris further stated that Nigeria had witnessed 4,915 suspected cases of meningitis, with 380 confirmed cases during the same period.
The situation has been exacerbated by seasonal factors, such as the dry season, which increases the risk of infection.
He cited factors like dust, winds, cold nights, and frequent upper respiratory tract infections as contributors to the spread of the disease, particularly in overcrowded and poorly ventilated areas.
The highest burden of CSM in Nigeria is concentrated in the so-called “Meningitis Belt,” which spans all 19 states in the northern region, the FCT, and parts of the southern region, including Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun states.
In response to the outbreaks, Dr. Idris highlighted the NCDC’s vaccination efforts, noting that a total of 2,281,750 doses of the Men5CV-ACWYX meningitis vaccine had been administered in four northern states—Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa—and 134 wards across 13 local government areas.
The campaign, aimed at individuals aged 1-29 years (making up 70% of the population), is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to control the spread of the disease.
Lassa fever, which also continues to affect the country, has seen a total of 3,372 cases between 2022 and 2024. Dr. Idris provided further statistics, revealing that in 2022, Nigeria reported 1,067 confirmed cases and 112 deaths.
In 2023, the number of suspected Lassa fever cases surged to 9,155, with 1,270 confirmed cases and 227 deaths across 28 states. As of October 13, 2024, the country had recorded 8,569 suspected cases, 1,035 confirmed cases, and 174 deaths across 28 states and 129 local government areas.