NCDC and partners are currently implementing the 2017/2018 preparedness and response plan through
the multi-agency CSM Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). This is the fifth situation report.
• Isolated cases were detected from September 2017, and each followed up.
• Given the known epidemic season and increasing number of reported cases, a multi-agency CSM
Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated to alert mode on the 4th of December, 2017 (Week
49) to proactively coordinate response.
• Beginning from September 1, 2017 to January
25, 2018, a total of 481 suspected cases have
been reported from twelve States –Zamfara
(257), Katsina (86), Sokoto (41), Jigawa (29),
Bauchi (20), Cross River (17), Kebbi (12), Yobe
(9), Kano (4), Borno (3), Adamawa (2) and
Kaduna (1).
• Of the 481 suspected cases, 176 (36.6%)
samples have been collected and tested. Of
the 176 samples tested, 79 (44.9%) were
positive for bacterial meningitis.
• Neisseria meningitides C (NmC) accounted for
63.3% (50) of the positive cases.
• The first LGA that crossed the alert threshold
was Bungudu in Zamfara state in Epi-week 51, 2017.
• So far, 82 deaths (CFR=17.0%) have been recorded among all suspected cases.
• In the last four weeks (Epi Wk 52 to Epi Wk 3), four wards in Zamfara State (Wonaka in Gusau LGA,
Sankalawa and Kotorkoshi in Bungudu LGA and Zurmi in Zurmi LGA), one ward in Bauchi State (Madara
Ward in Katagum LGA), one ward in Katsina State (Abadau Kagara in Batsari LGA) and Takwasa in Babura
LGA in Jigawa State reached the epidemic threshold.
• Reactive vaccination in Kagara ward in Talata Mafara LGA, Zamfara State ended on 22nd January, 2018
attaining full coverage of the target population.
• Media messages have been developed and disseminated by conventional media and social media.
• The National Reference Laboratory continues confirmatory testing using PCR and is storing samples in
its Biorepository.
•

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People can succumb to meningitis all year round, but this region’s dry and windy climate between December and May allows it to spread even more .According to official estimates, the death toll from the recent meningitis in northern Nigerian is at least 1,114 with Zamfara having the highest casualty figure.