From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that deaths from Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) has risen to 151.
It explained that the figure was, cumulatively, from the cases reported from 2024/2025 season which is from epidemiological week 40 (in 2024) to week 12 (in 2025).
NCDC, in the epidemiological week 12 (17th March to 23rd March, 2025) report released in Abuja, on Sunday, indicated that as at 23rd March 2025, a total of 1, 826 suspected cases have been reported from 23 states in the current season, out of which 151 deaths were recorded.
It noted that 60 per cent of the total suspected cases are male, while 94 per cent of all the suspected cases are reported from 10 states, namely, Kebbi (881), Katsina (158),
Jigawa (147), Yobe (109), Gombe (47), Sokoto (303), Borno (36), Adamawa (27), Oyo (23) and Bauchi (66).
But in the epidemiological week 12 (17th March to 23rd March, 2025), NCDC noted that 315 suspected cases were reported from three states, namely, Kebbi, Sokoto and Yobe, with 14 deaths recorded which indicated case fatality rate of 4.4 per cent.
However, in the reporting week 12, 60 samples were collected from nine states, namely, Adamawa, Gombe, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Plateau, FCT, and Bauchi. Four LGAs (Gwandu, Aliero, Jega and Tambuwal) in Kebbi and sokoto States, respectively, have crossed epidemic threshold.
NCDC noted that there is 65 per cent decrease in number of reported cases in epi-week 12 (315) compared to cases reported in epi-week 11 (418) cases.
Regarding case definitions, NCDC stated that suspected cases includes any person with a sudden onset of fever (>38.5C rectal or 38.0C axillary) and meningeal signs such as neck stiffness, altered consciousness or other meningeal signs like Kernings, Bruzinski, nuchal rigidity, raised intracranial pressure including bulging fontanelle in toddlers.
On infant, NCDC noted that any toddler with sudden onset of fever (>38.5 C rectal or 38.0 C axillary) and any of the following signs: neck stiffness, or flaccid neck, bulging fontanelle, convulsion, or other meningeal signs, is a suspected case.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has received one million doses of meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine from the Gavi-funded global stockpile, to combat the meningitis outbreak in northern Nigeria.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the arrival of the Men5CV vaccines is a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s response to the meningitis outbreak.
He said: “It reflects our commitment to protect the health and well-being of all Nigerians, especially children and young people who are most vulnerable. Through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), we have prioritized epidemic preparedness, and rapid response as part of our broader health security agenda.
“We are grateful for the support of Gavi, the WHO, and UNICEF in enabling this swift deployment. Together, we are not only containing today’s outbreak but also laying a solid foundation to eliminate meningitis and strengthen routine immunisation for the future.”