The recent reports from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) paint a concerning picture of the prevalence of measles and meningitis in Nigeria.
Between January and March 2024, a total of 7,842 suspected cases of measles were reported across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
These cases were spread across 631 local government areas in the country.
Notably, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Katsina, Osun, Lagos, and Ogun accounted for a significant portion of the suspected measles cases during this period.
Out of the suspected cases, 4,020 were confirmed, with the majority of confirmed cases occurring in children aged nine to 59 months.
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Tragically, there were 39 deaths recorded among the confirmed cases, highlighting the severity of the situation. Alarmingly, a significant proportion of confirmed cases did not receive any dose of measles vaccine.
Meanwhile, the report also highlighted the prevalence of cerebrospinal meningitis, with 4,266 suspected cases and 339 deaths reported across 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory since the beginning of the 2023/2024 season.
The majority of suspected and confirmed cases were concentrated in five states: Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Gombe, and Katsina.
In response to the meningitis outbreak, Nigeria recently became the first country to roll out a new vaccine called Men5CV, recommended by the World Health Organization.
This vaccine protects against five strains of meningococcus bacteria and is being administered as part of emergency vaccination activities funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
These reports underscore the urgent need for comprehensive vaccination campaigns, improved healthcare infrastructure, and increased public awareness to combat the spread of measles and meningitis in Nigeria.
Additionally, ongoing surveillance and response efforts by the NCDC and other health agencies are crucial to containing outbreaks and saving lives in affected communities.
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