Winifred Bosa.

Reports reaching us have it that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has commenced vaccination for the control of meningitis.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre,Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu told Voice of Nigeria that the disease had affected 5 states in Nigeria.

According to him, so far, “there is 1,966 suspected cases in Nigeria, 109 has been confirmed, with 282 deaths.’’

Dr Ihekweazu said that Zamfara State has the highest number of confirmed cases at 44, Kastina-32, Sokoto-19, Kebbi-10 while Niger state has 4.

“There is an inter agency response supporting the states in the outbreak and the primary mode of responding to meningitis outbreak is vaccination,” he said.

Dr Ihekweazu explained that there was a new stereotype meningitis called ‘stereotype C’ as against the previous known type  ‘stereotype A’ which had disappeared.

“There is no commercially available vaccine for this new stereotype C meningitis yet…There is a vaccine but it is not commercially available for the stereotype involved in this specific out break and we have to make application to the World Health Organisation for the vaccines.

”Thankfully the vaccines have arrived and we have started vaccination campaign in Zamfara, we are in the process of starting in Sokoto and Kebbi State. We will continue to advocate for scientists and for the global community to really try and develop a vaccine for meningitis C, on the other hand all we can do is prevention,” he said.

Dr. Ihekweazu said that prevention and early detection was key to combating the disease and it could be treated with antibiotics if detected early.

”Meningitis is a tough disease especially during this period and it is associated with overcrowding. People must keep their buildings ventilated,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to avoid sleeping in overcrowded condition and if a lot of people must sleep together in the same room, the windows and doors must be open to allow enough ventilation in the room.

Dr. Ihekweazu added that the Centre would work with the state government in the Northwest and North central where most cases have been reported, to ensure better preparation next year.

Meningitis is caused by different types of bacteria, six of which can cause epidemics.

It is transmitted between people through coughs and sneezes and facilitated by cramped living conditions and close contact.