As of 24 March 156 people have died of meningitis in Nigeria, of some 1,500 infected, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). One-third of the deaths were in the northeast, which includes Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe, Borno and Taraba states.
During the same period last year Nigeria had nine times as many infections (13,298 cases).
A resident of Yobe state, Musa Ali, told IRIN he is sleeping outdoors to avoid infection. “It has become necessary for us to sleep outside due to the unbearable heat, because sleeping indoors can cause CSM [cerebrospinal meningitis]. Most families now sleep on their verandas, balconies and in some cases the men sleep in front of their homes.”
The disease – transmitted by nose and throat secretions – spreads more easily in overcrowded conditions, mostly during the dry months in sub-Saharan Africa from December to June.
As of 15 March, the most affected countries in the region were Burkina Faso with 2,520 reported cases and 328 deaths and Chad with 1,282 cases and 130 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Six districts in Burkina Faso and five districts in Chad are in epidemic phase, with at least 10 of 100,000 people infected.
Even when diagnosed and treated early meningitis kills up to 10 percent of those infected, typically within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, according to WHO. In West Africa infections generally peak in April.
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During the same period last year Nigeria had nine times as many infections (13,298 cases).
A resident of Yobe state, Musa Ali, told IRIN he is sleeping outdoors to avoid infection. “It has become necessary for us to sleep outside due to the unbearable heat, because sleeping indoors can cause CSM [cerebrospinal meningitis]. Most families now sleep on their verandas, balconies and in some cases the men sleep in front of their homes.”
The disease – transmitted by nose and throat secretions – spreads more easily in overcrowded conditions, mostly during the dry months in sub-Saharan Africa from December to June.
As of 15 March, the most affected countries in the region were Burkina Faso with 2,520 reported cases and 328 deaths and Chad with 1,282 cases and 130 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Six districts in Burkina Faso and five districts in Chad are in epidemic phase, with at least 10 of 100,000 people infected.
Even when diagnosed and treated early meningitis kills up to 10 percent of those infected, typically within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, according to WHO. In West Africa infections generally peak in April.
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This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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