There is an outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis across some states in the country.  Even though the federal ministry of health has advised Nigerians to remain calm as it is working to put an end to the spread of the epidemic, it is important that every Nigerian is made aware of the health risk posed by the disease.

Meningitis is a serious illness that can be life threatening. Boade Akinola the director media and public relations at the federal ministry of health said that although, “this is not the first time or the worst epidemic ever faced by Nigeria, this round of the epidemic has come with a difference, as all previous epidemics were caused by Neisseria Meningitides type ‘A’, but this year we are recording Neisseria Meningitides type C in epidemic proportion for the first time.”

More than 2,524 people have so far been affected by the Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) outbreak, with 328 deaths recorded in ninety Local Government Councils of 16 states of the federation.

The states involved include, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nassarawa, Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Kano, Osun, Cross River, Lagos and Plateau.

What is meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis is a serious bacterial infection. It affects the protective lining of the brain and the spinal cord or “meninges.”

It is usually spread via saliva or mucus. Kissing, living in close or communal spaces, or sharing cups and eating utensils are all ways to get the infection.

The most common causes of meningitis are viral and bacterial infections. Other causes may include cancer, chemical irritation, fungi, and drug allergies.

The most common kinds are viral and bacterial meningitis both contagious and can be transmitted by coughing, sneezing, or close contact.

Viral meningitis

According to Healthline, a health journal, viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. Viruses in the Enterovirus category cause 85 percent of cases.

Viruses in the Enterovirus category cause about 10 to 15 million infections per year, but only a small percentage of people who get infected will develop meningitis. Viral meningitis typically goes away without treatment.

Fungal Meningitis
Fungal meningitis is rare and usually caused by fungus spreading through blood to the spinal cord. Although anyone can get fungal meningitis, people with weakened immune systems, like those with an HIV infection or cancer, are at increased risk.

The most common cause of fungal meningitis for people with weak immune systems is Cryptococcus. This disease is one of the most common causes of adult meningitis in Africa.

How it Spreads

Fungal meningitis is not spread from person to person. Fungal meningitis can develop after a fungus spreads through the bloodstream from somewhere else in the body to the brain or spinal cord or from an infection next to the brain or spinal cord.


Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria. The medical journals warns that it is fatal if left untreated between 5 to 40 percent of children and 20 to 50 percent of adults with this condition die.

Prolonged close contact with an infected person may increase risk of transmission. This is a concern in day care centres, schools, and college dormitories.

The bacteria can also spread through saliva, mucus, kissing, sharing eating utensils, coughing, sneezing, and contaminated food

Medical experts say a lot of people have meningitis-causing bacteria in their throats or noses, even if they do not get sick, they can still spread it to others.

According to the World Health Organization, the incubation period is between two and 10 days. The largest concentration of meningococcal disease is in sub-Saharan Africa.

The US Center for diseases control  (CDC), estimates that about 4,100 cases of bacterial meningitis are reported each year in the United States.

Common symptoms of meningitis include sudden high fever and chills, headache, stiff neck, purple areas on the skin that look like bruises. The symptoms usually come on suddenly, within one week of being exposed to the bacteria.

Other less common symptoms of meningitis are confusion, particularly in older adults, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, rash, usually a symptom appearing during later stages, drowsiness and fatigue, seizure, coma.

Children tend to display different symptoms of meningitis than adults and they include irritability, partial seizures, red or purple rashlike areas on the skin, projectile vomiting, difficulty with feeding, high-pitched crying.

Reducing meningitis risk

Common precautions medical practitioners advise are regular washing of hands with warm water and soap before eating, after using the toilet, after changing a diaper, or after tending to someone who is ill.

They further counsel against sharing eating utensils, straws, or plates and maintain hygiene as regards covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Parents are also urged to stay up to date with immunizations and booster shots for meningitis and seek immediate medical help when a child exhibits symptoms.



CULLED FROM PALMCHAT HEALTH

Thanks for the update

God bless you plenty


That Governor of zamfara is suffering from one of the schizophrenia

Wait ooo and he's the chairman of governors forum

If a governor can think that way


I weep for my country

sarrki:
Thanks for the update
God bless you plenty

That Governor of zamfara is suffering from one of the schizophrenia
Wait ooo and he's the chairman of governors forum
If a governor can think that way

I weep for my country

God bless you honey. what about the governor?

Nice point

ibibiofirstlady:
God bless you honey. what about the governor?

In a sane society that guy is not fit to be a councillor

He said and I quote

" That we sin against God that's why the disease is killing the masses "

Cc lalasticlala

Baba This will go a long way on educating our people

On how to prevent the spread

Less I forget egbon myndd44 is here already

You didn't talk about fungal meningitis/cryptococcosis. Its another common and dangerous form of meningitis.

sarrki:


In a sane society that guy is not fit to be a councillor

He said and I quote

" That we sin against God that's why the disease is killing the masses "

he said that? that is pathetic

legislatively:
You didn't talk about fungal meningitis/cryptococcosis. Its another common and dangerous form of meningitis.

Ive modified to include it. Pls check

ibibiofirstlady:
he said that? that is pathetic

It is sardonic

sarrki:



It is sardonic

very disdainful and irascible

ibibiofirstlady:
very disdainful and irascible

Very very

ok

These are the kinda threads that should make FP, not nonsense trending stories of wannabes.
Anyways, our FMoH is obviously handicapped in this situation, they weren't caught unawares because this issue had been on for the past 5 months. Instead they just quietly watched and prayed that it would go away.
Now they're telling us that C strain wasn't vaccinated against, like seriously? That's the best they could come up with after 5months?
There are zero contingency plans on ground in the hospitals as we speak.
This government reeks of incompetence from head-to-toe. And to think this is the minister it took all of 6 months to appoint, mehn, I give up!

all you need to know...... e dey kee pple

Noted

One idiot gonena zapara say nah God dey furnish feple por pornicatio....lol... Mad man

Hmmmm

I believe that Nigeria shall overcome this epidemic... God is with us

sarrki:


In a sane society that guy is not fit to be a councillor

He said and I quote

" That we sin against God that's why the disease is killing the masses "

Did he really say that? Do you have any video or a newspaper article link?

Thanks.

sarrki:


In a sane society that guy is not fit to be a councillor

He said and I quote

" That we sin against God that's why the disease is killing the masses "

Africa my Africa!

Thanks for that. N neva tire. Buhari never talk

bring your bitcoin to me 380/$

TonyeBarcanista:
I believe that Nigeria shall overcome this epidemic... God is with us

Nigeria dealt with ebola effectively but those were different times.

People made a choice in 2015 and we are all suffering because of it.

Symptoms nko?

Good one op

ibibiofirstlady:
very disdainful and irascible

Your School fees no waste lol

TonyeBarcanista:
I believe that Nigeria shall overcome this epidemic... God is with us

Tonye my friend, this is another political statement ba?
Be like say you and Yari were cut from the same root stock

sarrki:
Thanks for the update

God bless you plenty


That Governor of zamfara is suffering from one of the schizophrenia

Wait ooo and he's the chairman of governors forum

If a governor can think that way


I weep for my country

Weep more, it is good to your health if not, you wouldn't have voted for an ancestor.

Fvking is not a mode of transfer,thats all I need to know