The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on March 30, raised the alarm over the outbreak of the highly contagious Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) which, then, had claimed 282 people. Deaths, through the disease, were recorded in five states viz: Zamfara (44), Katsina (32), Sokoto (19), Kebbi (10) and Niger (4). Cerebrospinal Meningitis, a recurring sickness in the North, has now become a national scourge, claiming over 336 people all over the federation this year alone.
The affected areas include Yobe, Cross River, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and some parts of the Eastern and South- South states. As we write, more deaths are still being recorded, which explains why urgent action needs to be taken to contain the disease.
Meningitis is an inflation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. This inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord resulting in the swelling of the areas affected. The disease is associated with over-crowding and is highly infectious. It can be contracted through contacts with the body fluid of the sufferer. This includes sweat, spit and urine.
That is why people, at this time, are warned to avoid, as much as possible, handshakes, kissing or the sweat of any meningitis patient. Symptoms of meningitis include fever, severe and persistent headache, nausea and vomiting and neck stiffness. Other symptoms are drowsiness, sensitivity to bright light, confusion and disorientation of the sufferer. Until recently, meningitis outbreaks were caused mostly by Neisseria Meningitis Serogroup A (NmA).
These outbreaks occur in the dry season, due to its low humidity and dusty conditions. This usually ends with the onset of the rainy season. But now, a new strand of meningitis, called Stereotype C has emerged in place of the previous known Stereotype A, which appears to have disappeared. According to the Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, vaccines to treat this new strand of meningitis were not “commercially available”.
This means government was caught napping and 336 people had to die because government could not provide vaccines on time to save the lives of its citizens. For a disease that is a yearly ritual in Nigeria, it is amazing that our leaders did virtually nothing to prevent this high casualty. It is sad that in this century some of our leaders can still shamelessly be attributing the cause of meningitis to sin or witchcraft! Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, had in an interview said that the disease was as a result of sin of fornication and disobedience to God. The governor’s outburst is uncharitable. This is unexpected of a leader at a time his people was in health crisis.
Since the CSM’s outbreak is a yearly occurrence, there should be vaccines to tackle all streams (A-Z) of meningitis. The national vaccines development company should be well equipped and placed on red alert at this time of the year to produce vaccines that would prevent people dying from cheap diseases.
Speaking at a Senate Committee meeting, Acting Director- General of the National Primary Health Development Agency, Dr. Emmanuel Odu, disclosed that $1.1 billion is required to vaccinate 22 million persons who are at risk of contracting the disease because the vaccines are scarce and expensive. We implore the legislature and the executive to put politics aside, approve necessary funding so that vaccinations can start in earnest.
After all, diseases do not recognise the political divide you belong to; whether you are APC, PDP or Labour Party member is immaterial. Government should embark on massive sensitisation campaign, with the help of the media, Red Cross and Non- Governmental Organisations, especially in areas prone to the disease, in averting these preventable deaths, instead of the usual government’s fire brigade approach. Also, vaccines should be made widely available to all hospitals, including private hospitals and vaccination made free.
Kudos goes to all proactive governors who have placed their local states on alert, directing them to report suspected cases of meningitis, like it did in containing the Ebola fever. We appeal to Nigerians to, as much as possible, avoid sleeping in over-crowded places.
And if a lot of people must sleep together in the same room, they should keep their rooms well-ventilated. Thumbs up must also be given to the NCDC which has kicked off mass vaccination campaign, though coming late, with 500,000 doses of Meningitis C vaccinations.
The organisation has also promised to work with state governments to ensure better preparation to avert similar outbreak next year. This has, indeed, given hope to Nigerians and it is commendable. We call on the Federal Government to declare an emergency on the meningitis outbreak. This is a national disaster that needs proactive approach in tackling it.
