SOKOTO AND THE MENINGITIS DEATHS
More awareness is needed on the predisposing factors of the disease
Last Wednesday’s confirmation of the death of 33 children following an outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in parts of Sokoto State is quite disturbing. This is despite a recent public health warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to residents of some northern states about the heightened risk of the disease. The alert categorised states by risk levels, with Sokoto listed among the most vulnerable. According to the Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar, who confirmed the fatalities, 256 cases have been recorded across many local governments in the state. While we commend health authorities in Sokoto for their prompt response, it is important for other states to be on the alert to avert another public health disaster.
In its most recent warning, NiMET had highlighted the groups susceptible to the infection, explaining that “children and young adults, people living in overcrowded settings, individuals exposed to dry, dusty environments, and persons with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.” Early recognition of symptoms, according to the agency, is key to preventing fatalities while listing sudden high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea or vomiting, and sensitivity to light as warning signs. To reduce the risk of infection, NiMET encouraged the public to “get vaccinated, practice good hygiene, avoid overcrowding, and seek early medical care.” But health facilities, especially primary health centres, should also be equipped enough to manage cases where secondary and tertiary health facilities are not available.
Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective organs and membranes with layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord. In most cases, the disease becomes intense and widespread during heat period and in areas where there is no ventilation. Considering the rising temperature of recent weeks and the heat waves across the country, it is no surprise that meningitis has become a serious health challenge. The number of deaths and cases recorded so far remain unclear, but there are indications of growing fatalities in many rural communities, especially in the North.
Experts have repeatedly warned that Nigeria usually suffers meningitis around this time of the year when dry season is turning to raining season, especially in the area called the ‘meningitis belt’. But it is nonetheless unfortunate that for decades, a preventable disease like meningitis has been a recurring epidemic, resulting in the death of thousands of our people, especially children. To worsen matters, the disease spreads across the entire West African sub-region in the first quarter of every year. The spread of the disease becomes worse where the environment is not clean, and sanitation is not taken seriously. And that is partly because relevant authorities are not alive to their responsibilities.
We commend NiMET and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for being proactive on the challenge. It is left for authorities in the country and all critical stakeholders to expedite collaborative actions on preventive measures. On that score, there is an urgent need for a public enlightenment campaign, perhaps through the National Orientation Agency (NOA). As has been explained, the disease is fatal and thrives more in areas where hygiene is lacking or is low. We expect a more robust environmental campaign in view of the dangers that Meningitis poses. We also advocate for the strategy that would help put an end to what has become an annual death sentence for many Nigerians.
That would require a collaboration between the federal government and the authorities in all the 36 states. Although Meningitis can be caused by many different infections, some vaccinations also offer some protection against it.