Chidi Samuel || At least 328 persons have so far died from the latest outbreak of meningitis ravaging different parts of Nigeria, from the reported 2524 suspected cases. The North East and the North West are the areas mostly affected.
According to him, “We have about 2524 cases across the country and exactly 131 of those have been confirmed, (laboratory confirmed) for meningitis and there have been 328 deaths.”
Dr Ihekweazu, however, assured that the NCDC has been working very hard with the state government, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Ministry of Health, as well as the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, to curb the menace and stated that much progress has been made in combating the outbreak.
The NCDC boss explained that bacterial meningitis affects the brain and the spinal cord and it is actually transmitted through person to person contact from sneezing, coughing, or even living in crowded conditions.
He, therefore, advised that individuals should be mindful of their personal hygiene while also adding that if they cannot avoid overcrowding then they should ensure that their homes are well-ventilated.