At least 50 per cent of people who have meningitis will die if left untreated, an official of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said on Saturday, saying Nigeria must do more to tackle the disease.
The Director of Special Duties and Technical Lead for the National Cerebrospinal Meningitis Technical Working Group, NCDC, Priscilla Ibekwe, said this during an awareness walk to mark the 2021 World Meningitis Day.
Ms Ibekwe said even when treated, 10 to 20 per cent of people who survive meningitis will have after-effects such as deafness, loss of sight, loss of limbs amongst others.
“The sad thing about meningitis is that it is a race against time and 50 per cent of people who have meningitis will die if untreated,” she said.