MSF raises alarm over rapid spread of meningitis across Nigeria’s Northwestern states
By Samuel Luka,
Bauchi
A health related humanitarian organization known Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ Doctors Without Borders, has raised concerns over cases of rapid spread of meningitis across Northwestern states of Nigeria.
The organization which made this disclosure in a press release e-signed by its Field communications manager, Teresa Krug on Friday, explained that the spread of the extremely infectious and deadly disease began since early March, this year.
“Since early March, meningitis, an extremely infectious and deadly disease, has been spreading rapidly throughout several states across Northwest Nigeria, mainly in Kebbi and Sokoto States”, the press release explained.
The field communication manager added that the number of cases and deaths are continuously increasing.
According to Krug, the spread will continue unless sufficient resources for mass vaccination campaigns and other prevention measures are immediately put in place, adding that healthcare workers in Northern Nigeria are facing a race against time.
He said in the Northwest Nigeria, MSF medical teams have started responding to the increasing needs by treating hundreds of patients, supporting health facilities in the provision of care, and ensuring early access to adequate treatment and healthcare
Krug maintained that the MSF also supplying hospitals with essential drugs and providing training for medical staff.
“The situation is alarming. Meningitis kills quickly if someone does not come to the hospital early enough”, the press release quoted MSF medical doctor Bukar Galtimari who is currently based in Kebbi State, the hardest hit region in Nigeria as saying.
“You see a mother come in with two or three kids affected, and due to the nature of the disease and how quickly it spreads, the threat to their lives is very real”, the MSF official said
According to the MSF, “in Kebbi State only, where MSF has witnessed the biggest surge in admissions of patients with meningitis across the three different local government areas (LGAs) where it is present – Gwandu, Jega and Aliero – the teams have already admitted over 500 patients. More than 60 have died”.
The MSF while pointing out that. vaccination plays a pivotal role in preventing the emergence of new cases and spread of the disease, noted that, in Sokoto State, which borders Kebbi State, MSF teams are working tirelessly to support the local health system in terms of case management and case-finding to increase the epidemiological capacity in vulnerable communities.
Krug maintained that in both Sokoto and Kebbi state, MSF is planning to start, support and manage a mass vaccination campaign in collaboration with each state’s Ministry of Health, in some areas as early as the beginning of April.
“The patients we see are suffering from high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and sensitivity to light,” the MSF said.
The press release called on the local and federal authorities to do everything they can to speed up their vaccination efforts and ensure enough doses are available for all affected states.
“This is the only way to prevent people from dying. MSF is sending other emergency teams in the wider northern region of Nigeria to assess the situation as more suspected or confirmed cases are being reported across numerous states in Northern Nigeria”, the release said.