Disease Control Center Cautions on Cerebrospinal Meningitis

As the country progresses into the meningitis season, the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has urged Nigerians to be vigilant and act fast reporting any suspected case to the nearest health center

Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) is an acute inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord. It is a very serious infection that can sometimes lead to fatal consequences.

The Centre in a statement yesterday, said the disease remained a major public health challenge in the African meningitis belt, with 26 States in Nigeria within this belt. Large outbreaks can occur during the dry season (i.e November through May).

CSM is contagious and can be transmitted through tiny droplets of respiratory secretions from an infected person, during close contact such as coughing or sneezing. The disease is more common among persons aged less than 15 years and deaths are higher among untreated cases. Signs and symptoms include sudden high fever, loss of appetite, stiff neck, severe headache, sensitivity to light, difficulty concentrating, and convulsions.

The Centre however said CSM could be prevented by: avoiding overcrowded places and ensuring adequate ventilation in the home, covering the nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when sneezing, coughing, or blowing the nose and disposing used tissues promptly into a waste bin, minimising contact with droplets when such as turning the head away from people coughing and sneezing, washing of hands frequently especially after coughing or sneezing and practicing universal care precautions at all times: i.e. wearing gloves, while handling patients or providing care to an ill relative.