Gladness Gideon
Nigeria is facing a rapidly worsening public health emergency as the death toll from the ongoing cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) outbreak has climbed to 156, according to the latest figures released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Covering epidemiological week 40 of 2024 through week 12 of 2025, the NCDC report revealed that 1,858 suspected cases have been identified across 23 states and 121 local government areas, with 126 confirmed cases so far. The national case fatality rate now stands at a concerning 8.4%.
Among the hardest-hit states are Kebbi, which recorded 67 deaths, followed by Sokoto with 33, Katsina with 16, and Yobe with 11. Other affected states include Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Kano, Adamawa, and Oyo, each reporting between one and nine fatalities.
The disease has disproportionately affected children aged 5 to 14, who remain the most vulnerable demographic. Males account for 60% of the total suspected cases. Notably, 94% of all cases are concentrated in 10 states, led by Kebbi (881 suspected cases), followed by Sokoto (303), Katsina (158), and Jigawa (147).
Seventeen local government areas across nine states have reported over 10 suspected cases, with Gwandu (313), Tambuwal (155), and Aleiro (143) emerging as critical hotspots. The NCDC highlighted that these areas are experiencing intensified surveillance and response measures.
The dominant strains identified in confirmed cases include Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and W, which account for 27% and 13.5% respectively. Other pathogens found include Streptococcus pneumoniae (2.1%), Neisseria meningitidis X (0.7%), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (0.3%).
Despite the national response, the NCDC acknowledged several operational challenges hampering containment efforts. These include a shortage of trained personnel for critical procedures like lumbar punctures, inconsistent data reporting from states, lack of active case searches in tertiary facilities, and poor health-seeking behavior at the community level.
In response, Nigeria’s multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and development partners, is coordinating an aggressive response. Key strategies include data harmonization, community engagement, risk communication, and the distribution of critical medical supplies.
READ ALSO:Â Meningitis Outbreak: Nigeria Receives One Million Gavi-Funded Vaccine Doses
To bolster the vaccination campaign, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced the receipt of over one million doses of the WHO-recommended pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men5CV) from the Gavi-funded global stockpile. Nigeria made history in 2024 as the first country to deploy the Men5CV, which protects against five major strains of the meningococcus bacteria.
Meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, poses a deadly threat during the dry season, which typically spans December to June. The disease thrives in the “meningitis belt” of sub-Saharan Africa — a region stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia — home to over 500 million at-risk individuals.
The World Health Organization warns that one in four survivors may suffer long-term disabilities including hearing loss, cognitive deficits, and limb amputations. Early detection, vaccination, and sustained community awareness are essential in breaking the transmission chain.
As the outbreak intensifies, public health experts are urging swift state-level action and broader community cooperation to prevent further loss of life.