Meningitis: Death Toll Rises To 328 As Nigeria Issues Advisory Note To Citizens

At least 328 persons have been confirmed dead in the wake of the outbreak of the Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM), across some states in the country, while the Nigerian government has urged citizens to remain calm.

The Federal Ministry of Health, while responding to the current CSM outbreak, issued a public advisory note on how to curtail the spread of the disease, while Nigerians were advised to remain calm as the ministry is working to put an end to the epidemic.

A press statement signed by Boade Akinola, Director Media and Public Relations released on Friday, said the current outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis, CSM, has spread across the country, mostly affecting states in the part of Nigeria which fall within the African Meningitis Belt.



As at Friday, the situation report from the ministry showed that 90 local government areas in 16 states of the federation have so far been affected including Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nasarawa, Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Osun, Cross Rivers, Lagos and Plateau.

Further statistics from the federal health ministry showed that 2,524 people have been affected across the states – 131 samples confirmed in the laboratory indicated that majority were meningitis type C.

The outbreak started in Zamfara State in November, 2016.‎

The ministry has, however, advised Nigerians to remain calm as the disease is preventable and curable if presented early.

“We advise Nigerians to continue abiding by health advice which will be issued periodically as feedback of the situation will be given to the public”, it stated.