{"id":14522,"date":"2023-04-19T09:53:21","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T08:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/?p=14522"},"modified":"2023-04-19T09:53:23","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T08:53:23","slug":"meningitis-outbreak-all-you-need-to-know-about-its-symptoms-causes-prevention-and-treatment-as-cases-rise-in-jigawa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/meningitis-outbreak-all-you-need-to-know-about-its-symptoms-causes-prevention-and-treatment-as-cases-rise-in-jigawa\/","title":{"rendered":"Meningitis Outbreak: All you need to know about its symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment as cases rise in Jigawa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Full Text<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meningitis cases have been a yearly occurrence in Nigeria, with a spike observed during the dry season. The disease is highly contagious and can kill a person within 24 hours. Late January <\/a>2023, the federal government alerted Nigerians on the rise of cerebrospinal meningitis in Jigawa state, with preliminary reports indicating 117 suspected cases and 12 confirmed cases.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) deployed<\/a> a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to Jigawa, Yobe, and Katsina States to combat the disease. However, on February 17, no fewer than 38 persons were reported to have died<\/a> from suspected meningitis cases in Jigawa. The outbreak in Jigawa is a tragic reminder of the ongoing threat of infectious diseases in the region and the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure and disease surveillance systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meningitis and its causes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Menin<\/a>gitis is an inflammation of the meninges, a thin layer of the connective tissue that covers the brain and the spinal cord. Keneth Ayange, a medical officer at Anglican Hospital Kafanchan, noted that an infection of the Central Nervous System leads to inflammation of the brain covering called the meninges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Illustration of meningitis. Photo Source: Healthline<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The most common<\/a> causes of meningitis are viral and bacterial infections. When caused by an infection, this inflammation can be caused by various organisms, bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. Injuries and certain drugs can also cause such inflammation. According to Dr Ayange, some of the factors that make individuals more susceptible to meningitis is the dry season. “The dry season creates a conducive environment for meningitis to thrive, as the dryness of the nose makes it easier for bacteria to settle and be inhaled. Moreover, the fragility of the nasal passage during the dry season can lead to infections, which can be easily transmitted to other parts of the body,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another predisposing factor of meningitis is the lack of appropriate vaccination for the specific strain of bacteria causing the disease. Outbreaks of meningitis are not uncommon in some areas of the world, including the African meningitis belt<\/a>, which includes Nigeria. Dr Ayange noted that this belt covers the 19 states in the north, including Jigawa. \u201cThe occurrence of meningitis is high in this zone. The Neisseria meningitides type C strain, in particular, has been wreaking havoc in the region,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Map Showing Africa Meningitis Belt. Source Travel Vaccines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of Meningitis <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Common symptoms of meningitis include a stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity to light, confusion, headaches and vomiting. In infants<\/a>, symptoms may include high fever, constant crying, the baby seems overly sleepy, sluggish, or inactive, poor feeding, and crankiness. Bacterial or fungal meningitis symptoms may last a few days to a week or more after treatment. It can take weeks to months to recover, and some people have long-lasting or permanent health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Meningitis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n