Dr Bamidele Iwalokun, a Molecular Biologist, on Tuesday called for effective preventive and response strategies against meningitis epidemics to curb the spread and fatality rate in the country.
Iwalokun, who heads the Immunology and Vaccinology Research Department, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, made the call against the backdrop of current meningitis outbreak that has killed about 336 lives in Nigeria.
He told newsmen in Lagos that meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, which is the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
According to him, this inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
“Meningitis epidemic has been a major health problem in the African meningitis belt and Nigeria is one of the 26 countries on the African meningitis belt.
“The country records some of the highest incidences of the disease on the continent and as such, there is need for preparedness for such outbreaks.
“This should include effective preventive and response strategies, as well as increased sensitisation and surveillance,’’ said the expert.
He said: “Prevention is important in controlling the spread of meningitis in the country; close contacts of index cases should receive antibiotic prophylaxis according to the national guideline for prophylactic prevention of meningitis among contacts.
“Part of prevention is careful disposal of throat and respiratory secretion and avoidance of unprotective contacts with index cases.
“There should be need to give isolation and barrier nursing care to meningitis infected patients and also monitor them for clearance of the bacteria in the blood.
“Viruses, fungi, parasites, cancer, drugs and head injury, asides bacteria are causes of meningitis; these causes also vary in severity and treatment modalities,’’ Iwalokun said.
According to him, the Federal Government should strengthen laboratories in the country for accurate diagnosis of meningitis.
He also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to set up a committee on meningitis control and elimination to curb further spread of the disease.
“The committee should be responsible for reviewing the antibiotic vulnerability of Neisseria meningitis serotypes in the country
“Such committee can then use current trend and data on antibiotic resistance to formulate appropriate prophylaxis and treatment by state, zones or the country as a whole,’’ he said.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that there has been an outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) across 16 states of the country since November 2016, of which a new strain of the disease called “stereotype C’’ had emerged.
As at April 3, there were 2,524 suspected cases with 336 deaths recorded in 90 local government areas in the affected states.
The states included Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nasarawa , Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba , Yobe, Kano, Osun, Cross Rivers, Lagos and Plateau.
Meningitis outbreaks peak in the dry season in certain states in the Northern region due to low humidity and dusty conditions and usually end as the rainy season approaches.
The bacteria that cause it can be spread through exchange of saliva, which can occur during common activities such as kissing, sharing utensils and drinking glasses.
The risk factors for meningitis also include living in close quarters such as dormitories, sneezing and coughing as well as smoking or being exposed to smoke.
Also, particular lifestyle such as staying out late or irregular sleeping habits could put people at greater risk for meningitis, by weakening their immune system.
Some common symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, headaches and vomiting.
According to the WHO, even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate treatment begins, five per cent to 10 per cent of patients die, typically within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Vaccination against the three types of bacteria that can cause meningitis still remains one of the most effective ways to be protected against certain types of bacterial meningitis, alongside avoiding the risk factors.
