NCDC Warns Of Increased Lassa Fever, Meningitis Infections During Harmattan
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has hinted that the country would experience increased Lassa Fever and Meningitis infections due to the dry, harmattan season.
Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris gave the hint on Tuesday at a press conference in Abuja.
Dr. Idris explained that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), leads efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to cases of Lassa fever across the country annually.
He informed that, “Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the multimammate rat (also known as the African rat). Other rodents can also act as carriers of the virus”.
He noted that the country have continued to see a steady increase in the number of states reporting Lassa fever cases. This rise, he said was due, in part, to improved surveillance, better community awareness, environmental degradation from climate change, and other harmful human activities.
“In 2022, Nigeria reported 1,067 confirmed cases across 27 states and 112 LGAs. In 2023, 28 states and 114 LGAs reported confirmed cases, with 9,155 suspected cases, 1,270 confirmed cases, and 227 deaths. As of October 13, 2024, 8,569 suspected cases, 1,035 confirmed cases, and 174 deaths have been reported across 28 states and 129 LGAs”, the DG said.
He further stated that Lassa fever outbreaks were highly virulent and the loss of human lives resulting from disease are not just statistics but represent the death of beloved family members, spouses, parents and healthcare workers.
He therefore advised the public to always keep their environment clean, block all holes in their house to prevent the entry of rats and other rodents.
Cover your dustbins and dispose of refuse properly.
The DG further advised Nigerians to safely store food items such as rice, garri, beans, corn/maize, etc., in tightly sealed or well-covered containers and also to avoid drying food stuff outside on the ground or roadside, where it is at risk of contamination.
Speaking about Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), Dr. Idris explained that CSM was
an epidemic-prone disease with cases reported all year round in Nigeria.
He however noted that weather conditions like the dry season that comes with dust, winds, cold nights, and frequent upper respiratory tract infections increase the risk of infection, especially with crowding and poor ventilation.
He said the highest burden of CSM in Nigeria occur in the “Meningitis Belt” which includes all 19 states in the Northern region, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and some southern states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun).
“In 2023/2024, Nigeria recorded 4915 suspected and 380 confirmed cases with 361 deaths across 174 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 24 States including the Federal Capital Territory”, Dr. Idris stated.
He however said, despite significant progress in surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and vaccination over the last few years, CSM remained a priority disease and ever-present public health threat in Nigeria with annual outbreaks in high-burden states that present a challenge for people, health systems, economies, and communities.
According to him, “A total of 2, 281, 750 doses of Men5CV- ACWYX in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe covering 134 wards in the 13 LGAs”.
The campaign targeted individuals aged 1-29years, comprising 70% of the population.
He advised the citizens to ensure they and their loved ones have received the appropriate vaccination required to protect against meningitis.
They should also avoid overcrowding on households, schools dormitories, IDPs, prisons other communal settings. Practice proper respiratory hygiene when coughing or sneezing.
