Kebbi, 25 February, 2016 - Buoyed by renewed political commitment, the Kebbi State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and the World Organization (WHO) are coordinating the establishment of a strong partnership for the control of type C Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) which is now common in Nigeria following series of MenAfrivac campaigns that displaced type A meningitis.

The current outbreak of CSM in Kebbi state was notified in epidemiological week 5 from Yauri local government area (LGA). In February 2016 alone, CSM outbreak with 38 cases and 3 deaths reported in Yauri local government area (LGA); out of these cases, 15 (39%) had their cerebrospinal fluid samples taken for laboratory analysis. Of the 15 samples, 6 cases have been confirmed positive for serotype C, while the others are negative for Neisseria meningitides.

The outbreak necessitated a prompt response by WHO, in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the traditional institution, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Nigeria Center for Disease Control, UNICEF and community based associations, to support Kebbi SMOH in conducting prompt reactive vaccination campaign in Yauri LGA of the state from 20-21 February, 2016. WHO also coordinated planning meetings and training of all clinicians in case detection, investigation as well as  reporting, collection of cerebrospinal fluid, case management and provision of laboratory diagnostic commodities.

In their separate contributions during a flag-off ceremony for  reactive vaccination on 20 February 2016, the Emir of Yauri, Dr Zayyanu Mohammed and Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Fatima Bunza praised the partnership being coordinated by WHO on its unequivocal resolve to quickly control the CSM outbreak. Additionally, Dr Bunza stated that the government through the SMOH, had already distributed 5000 doses of CSM (tetravalent- ACYW) vaccines for the reactive vaccination in Yauri. She stated that there are  plans to procure additional doses for mass immunization activities in the state.

At the National level, Dr Mary Stephen of WHO noted that the country reported 80 suspected cases with 3 deaths and Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 3.8% from 34 LGAs in 14 states as at week 6, compared to 50 suspected cases with 5 deaths from 11 LGAs in 7 states during the same period in 2015, indicating an increase in number of cases and geographical areas affected.

“It is important to note that Nigeria lies in the meningitis outbreak geographical belt and conducted preventive MenAfricVac campaign in November 2013 against Neisseria meningitides serotype A, the commonest cause of huge outbreaks of meningitis in Africa.  All confirmed CSM cases, so far in 2016, are due to Neisseria meningitides serotype C, an indication that the MenAfriva campaign against serotype A was very successful”, Dr Stephen observed.

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For more information, please contact:

Technical contacts:

Dr Mary Stephen, Tel: +234 816 289 9789; Email: stephenm [at] who.int  

Dr Sameeh Omoleke, Tel: 234 816 759 7029; Email: talk2semeeh [at] yahoo.co.uk