The World Health Organization (WHO) today detailed two outbreaks in Nigeria, one involving meningitis and the other diphtheria. The country is juggling several health challenges, which is complicated by a humanitarian emergency and insecurity in the northeast.
Nigeria's meningitis outbreak began in October 2022, and, as of April 16, 1,686 suspected cases have been reported, 124 of them fatal, with the case-fatality rate at 7%. Though cases have been reported in 22 of Nigeria's 36 states, 74% have been reported from Jigawa state in the north, which borders an area of Niger where meningitis activity has also been under way since October 2022.
Of 481 cerebrospinal fluid samples tested, 247 were positive for bacterial infection, 91% yielding Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C. Meanwhile, 13 cases involved Streptococcus pneumoniae and 1 involved Haemophilus influenzae.
The WHO said northern Nigeria is part of Africa's meningitis belt. It said several bacteria can cause the disease, but N meningitidis is most likely to fuel large outbreaks. Meningococcal meningitis spreads through respiratory droplets and respiratory secretions, often from asymptomatic carriers. Outbreaks follow a seasonal pattern, with highest levels during the dry season, with a peak between March and April.
Suboptimal diphtheria vaccine coverage in conflict areas
In a separate statement, the WHO said Nigeria is experiencing a diphtheria outbreak that began in December 2022 and is its biggest outbreak involving the disease since 2011. So far this year, the country has reported 557 confirmed cases in 21 of its 36 states, with 73 deaths reported, for a case-fatality rate of 13%.
The outbreak peaked in January, and the death rate has declined owing to increased access to diphtheria antitoxin.
The disease is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact and respiratory droplets. Unvaccinated children are at highest risk. The WHO noted that third-dose vaccine coverage in Nigeria is suboptimal, especially in the northeast, where conflict is an obstacle to vaccination efforts.