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Health

Meningitis claims 8 in Borgu, Niger

Meningitis claims 8 in Borgu, Niger
By Mercy Osajiugo
Meningitis
Minna, April 3, 2019 (NAN) The Executive Director, Niger Primary Health Care Development Agency, Alhaji Usman Ndanusa, has confirmed that cerebrospinal meningitis has claimed eight lives in Borgu Local Government Area of the state.

Ndanusa, who is a Pharmacist, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Minna.

He said that it is absurd that the disease keep on claiming lives annually because people see it as a jinx or evil spirit that can be handled traditionally instead of by orthodox medicine.

He stated that the agency has begun sensitization to curb the epidemic so that it does not spread to neighbouring local government areas.

According to him, Magama, Borgu, Agwara and Mariga Rijau local government areas were usually flash points of the disease but only Borgu has so far lost eight people to the scourge from March till date.

Ndanusa however regretted that the agency has not embarked in cerebrospinal meningitis immunization this year because they do not have the vaccine.

“While we are awaiting the Federal Government intervention for the vaccine we are calling on all and sundry to live a healthy life style while the heat last.

“The agency has carried out sensitization to market places, garages and Local Government Areas,” he said.

Similarly, Ndanusa called on Nigerlites to prevent the disease by living a healthy life style.

“A rich immune system can help prevent an infection from the viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis.

“People should strive to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins aside this, good exercise is very necessary as well as regular bath,” he said.

Ndanusa also advised the people to drink plenty of water and try to get quality sleep by making sure their houses are well ventilated.(NAN)
MNO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Jigawa local council says no 40 deaths from CSM

Jigawa local council tackles CSM outbreak
NAN-H-34
Meningitis
By Abdullahi Shugaba
Taura (Jigawa), March 8, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Ismail ChiKwekwewa, the Chairman, Taura Local Government Council, Jigawa, says the council is tackling the outbreak of Cerebrum Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in Majia town.
Chikwekwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Taura on Thursday that the council was collaborating with the State Government and Federal Governments as well other stakeholders to contain the situation.
He said meningitis had claimed nine lives in the area as against the 40 earlier “mischievous reports speculated’’.

“Every mortal can fall ill sick and can die; I don’t see any reason why we should play politics with illness and death.
“What really happened is that some people fall sick complaining of headache and fever, and they were taking self-medication.
“When the problem persisted, the matter was reported to us at the local government council and we swiftly swung into action and sent doctors and medical personnel to find out the problem.
“After diagnosing the patients the case was found to be meningitis and the people affected were immediately rushed to Comprehensive Basic Health Centre Taura for necessary action.
“Before then, seven persons out of the patient who complained of headache and fever died at home while two later died at the hospital.
“We don’t know where those people got the figure that 40 people died in Majia; that is very unfortunate, can they come and show us where those people were buried?
“Right from the time we received the report of the outbreak of the ailment we have been up and doing, the state government also came to our rescue in addressing the problem completely.
“My appeal to people is that they should always try to find facts before spreading any information in the interest of progress and peaceful coexistence among people,’’ the chairman said.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Abba Zakar, confirmed that the situation was under control.
Zakar also confirmed that nine patients died of the disease and not 40 as reported earlier. (NAN)
AIS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

`Why we’re not stockpiling CSM vaccine’ – South West states

`Why we’re not stockpiling CSM vaccine’ – South West states

NAN-H-2

Vaccine

Ibadan, May 21, 2017 (NAN) There is a discernible absence of the CSM vaccine in public health institutions across many states  in the South West Zone and Kwara, a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has revealed.

NAN gathered from health authorities that this may not be unconnected with the fact that there had not been any major outbreak of the disease in the zone.

In Ibadan, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, confirmed that the state had no stock of the vaccine for the Neissria Meningitis Type C presently ravaging some states in northwest Nigeria.

This, he said, was because there was no need for the vaccine as the state was not affected by the epidemic.

“This new epidemic we are recording presently is a Neissria Meningitis type C.

“We don’t have the Neissria Meningitis type C in Oyo state and there has been no need to vaccinate against it.

“But if any public health care agent, clinic, centre is caught selling vaccines in Oyo, they would be seriously sanctioned.

“We are building a well structured primary health care facility and structure in Oyo state and we would not allow any derailment of our programme by unscrupulous health agents,” he said.

However, Adeduntan said that adequate doses of vaccines against Meningitis A, the type administered on babies and adults in some Northern parts of the country, were available.

“Once a can is opened, it has to be exhausted for the time frame stipulated for its effectiveness.

“If it is hoarded and gets expired, it could lead to very serious medical complications in the country.

“The epidemic of meningitis which recently broke out in Nigeria is different from the one we used to have in the past,’’ the commissioner noted.

He said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had instituted a mass vaccination campaign using the new conjugate vaccine called the MenAfriVac-A in about 16 out of 26 countries, including Nigeria.

He said further that the Federal Government through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) was making the vaccine available for free.

Dr Olufunmilola Lola-Dare, a Community Health Physician, said it would be an anomaly to sell vaccines as their importation and distribution were the exclusive preserve of the federal government.

“The Federal Ministry of Health distributes these vaccines to the state governments who make them available to community health centres, secondary health centres, state government hospitals and the tertiary health care centres.

“These are the 57 federal teaching hospitals and Federal Medical Centres,’’ Lola-Dare said.

The expert added that private operators in the health sector are not excluded in the distribution channel while all vaccines are supplied free.

NAN reports that random checks conducted in major pharmaceutical stores in Ibadan revealed that CSM vaccine was not available.

A pharmacist, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said that the storage and preservation of vaccines were expensive due to irregular power supply, adding that this can result in a loss.

Our source said that since the Oyo state government had announced that there was no meningitis case recorded in the state, having the vaccine in stock was needless.

In Abeokuta, Dr Akeem Yusuff, the Noncommunicable Disease Focal Person in the Ministry of Health, similarly said the CSM vaccine was currently not available in Ogun.

He told NAN that the federal government had prioritised the states that were given, noting that vaccines are deployed in areas where outbreaks of meningitis were recorded.

According to Yusuff, the state only has vaccines for the Type A meningitis, yellow fever and other diseases requiring vaccination for travellers.

“For now, we don’t have the vaccine because it was provided for priority states where there was a breakout.

“Since we don’t have a breakout, it wasn’t supplied to us.

“We, however, have the Type A vaccine for meningitis and yellow fever for people travelling out of the country who are in need of Yellow Card,” he said.

NAN checks in some pharmaceutical stores in Abeokuta also confirmed that the vaccine was not available.

In Osogbo, Dr Gbenga Adepoju, the Director of Public Health in Osun, said that the health ministry does not have the CSM vaccine in stock since there was no outbreak of the disease in the state.

Adepoju, however, told NAN that the state had put all necessary logistic arrangement in place to bring in the vaccine in less than 24 hours in case of CSM outbreak.

He said keeping the vaccine when there was no outbreak would negate the principle of vaccine storage and preservation.

Adepoju said that the ministry had provision of vaccines for those who might want to travel out of the country since they need the Yellow Card before they would be allowed to do so.

“Since the CSM vaccine is what you must take before anyone can travel out of the country, we have provision for that.

“But when it comes to mass vaccination, we will need support from the federal government which it has agreed to give to any state that has an outbreak.

“I still maintain that Osun is free from CSM and that is why we don’t store the vaccine.

“And since we don’t have it, I don’t think there should be panic buying.

“That notwithstanding, we have been proactive in making sure that we stay on guard so that we don’t have an outbreak.

“The issue now is that there is no point in keeping the vaccine since we don’t have an outbreak while those that have an outbreak are suffering from lack of it.

“But notwithstanding, in case there is an outbreak in the state, we have a proactive logistic arrangement in place to bring in the vaccine to the state,’’ he said.

Adepoju, however, warned residents of states where there had been outbreaks against buying the vaccine in stores, saying it might not have been well preserved.

Similarly, the Ekiti State Government said there was no outbreak of the current CSM epidemic in the state.

It also said, however, that proactive logistic arrangement had been put in place to tackle an outbreak, adding that adequate provisions had been made for the procurement of needed vaccines and oral drugs, with N80 million set aside in the 2017 budget.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Olurotimi Ojo, told NAN in Ado Ekiti said that the amount was part of the N2.8 billion budgeted for the health sector.

A survey conducted by NAN in Akure also revealed that the vaccine for CSM might not be available in Ondo State.

Mr Kayode Owoyele, a resident, said: “May be the vaccine is not available because there are no cases of CSM’’ in the state.

“I have not heard of any vaccine for CSM in this state either from the state or federal government.

“I also haven’t seen or heard of anyone with meningitis in this state as we have heard of cases in some other states,’’ he said.

But Mrs Olubukola Adesola, another resident, urged government to make the vaccine available even if there were no cases of meningitis in the state.

She advised the government to be proactive and ensure that the vaccine was in public pharmaceutical stores to ensure adequate response to an outbreak.

In Ilorin, the Commissioner for Health in Kwara, Dr Atolagbe Alege, said that the state had not ordered for the CSM vaccine because no case of the disease had been reported.

The commissioner explained that the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has the sole mandate to distribute the vaccine to any state in need.

He said the state had not recorded in any outbreak and there would be no need for any resident to patronise the chemist to buy the vaccine.

Alege, however, noted that the state government was monitoring cases of outbreak of meningitis and other diseases to ensure prompt response.

The commissioner added that the state Ministry of Health had put a unit on standby to tackle any reported incident. (NAN)

REPORTERS/OJO/MST

Edited by Muftau Ojo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Meningitis kills 8 in Katsina

Meningitis kills 8 in Katsina

NAN-H-37

CSM

Mai’adua (Katsina State), May 4, 2017 (NAN) Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) has killed not less than eight people at Tsabu village in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State, an official has said.

Alhaji Nasiru Mani, the Director of Primary Health Care of the council, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mai’adua on Thursday.

Mani said the outbreak of the deadly disease was discovered in the last two days following a report from the community.

He said that 16 cases were recorded out of which eight people lost their lives.

According to him, the remaining patients have been admitted at the Mai’adua and Daura general hospitals for proper medical attention.

“We (LGC) had since deployed a surveillance team to the area to address the situation,’’ said the director.

He said the combined efforts of state and local government medical teams have succeeded in addressing the problem.

“I called on our people to avail themselves for the ongoing vaccination against such diseases to curb further spread of the disease.

“We have designated centres at our rural clinics where people are being immunised or vaccinated against such diseases,” he said.

Mani commended the role of Medicines San Frontiers (MSF) or doctors without borders for their efforts in addressing the outbreak.

He called on the people of the area to adhere to the safety measures of sleeping inside ventilated rooms, houses and environs.

Besides, the director advised residents to report suspicious cases and visit nearby health centres over any symptom. (NAN)

BKD/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Medical practitioner cautions rural dwellers against attributing CSM to witchcraft

NAN-H-27

CSM

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Minna, April 15, 2017( NAN) Dr. Salihu Mohammed, a medical practitioner with the General Hospital, Minna has cautioned rural dwellers against attributing the rampaging Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) to witchcraft.

“The disease is a normal medical situation whose causes are well known. No 0ne should link it with any superstitious belief or witchcraft,” Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Saturday in Minna.

He said that the disease could by checked by immunisation, and urged parents to allow their children to be immunised against the six killers diseases.

“`Parents must insist and ensure that all children are vaccinated against measles, whooping cough, yellow fever and diphtheria,” he said

The physician advised people to avoid overcrowded areas and ensure that their abodes were well ventilated.

He also advised people to promptly report suspected CSM cases to medical centres to as to save the victim and curb its spread. ( NAN)
AAG/ETS

=======

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Health

CSM: NMA begins surveillance, training of personnel in A/Ibom

CSM: NMA begins surveillance, training of personnel in A/Ibom

By Sunday Bassey

NAN-HG-10

Meningitis

Uyo, April 12, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom chapter, says it has begun surveillance and training of medical personnel on the outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) across the 31 local government areas of the state.

The state Chairman of the NMA, Dr Aniekeme Uwah, made this known to newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday.

He said the training of surveillance and other medical officers would improve their medical knowledge about the disease.

He said that the state Ministry of Health was still carrying out proactive surveillance to forestall any outbreak of the disease in the state.

“We don’t have suspected case yet in Akwa Ibom, we are carrying out surveillance to prevent the outbreak meningitis in the state,” he said.

He said that the state government was doing everything possible to protect the health of the people from the disease.

Uwah, who is also an Epidemiologist in the state Ministry of Health, explained some measures expected to be adopted by the people for prevention against the disease.

“People should imbibe preventive measure such as avoiding of overcrowded places.

“Other preventive measures include staying in ventilated rooms, reduce travelling to areas where they have outbreak of the disease,” Uwah said.

The chairman disclosed that the state government was expecting vaccines from the Federal Government for the immunisation of residents of the state. (NAN)

SDB/OMO/MST

Edited by Martins Odeh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FG provides vaccines against meningitis for 420,000 people

FG provides vaccines against meningitis for 420,000 people

NAN-HG-7

Vaccines

By Donald Ugwu

Abuja, April 12, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government on Wednesday said no fewer than 420,000 people had received meningitis vaccination to mitigate the effects of the outbreak of the disease in parts of the country.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, announced this to State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.

He said that about 70 per cent of meningitis outbreak was recorded in Zamfara, noting that all the medical teams had arrived in the state to improve on the strategy to reach out to the population and spread the vaccination.

“As of now, about 420,000 people have been vaccinated in Zamfara state and I can tell you that we are beginning to see the `plato’ that is to say that the epidemic is no more rising,

“It is beginning to flatten out and we hope that it is going to come down soon.

“By this weekend, we are expecting 823,000 vaccines from the UK.

“They have been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) quality-wise.

“It is a special kind of vaccine called the conjugate vaccine which has a longer protection of about 10 years than the usual vaccine which we have been using before, which is called the polysaccharide vaccine.

“That gives protection for about two or three years.”

The minister said that as of now there were 4,637 suspected cases out of which 489 fatalities were recorded with 207 already confirmed in laboratory tests.

He said that the vaccination team would move to Sokoto State in a few days to use the vaccines to control the situation.

The minister said that the outbreak was reported late in some of the affected states, noting that people taught it was mild sickness.

He denied rumours that the vaccines had gone into private pharmacies as the vaccines had passed through the primary health care agencies of government for administration to victims.

Ehanire said government had yet to determine how many vaccines would be required but added that government had placed order for two million dozes.

He said that government would continue to administer what was provided and would make additional requests when the need arose.

He also said that response to the outbreak was professional and that health authorities were on top of the situation.

On the proactive measures being put in place for eventual outbreak of cholera and gastro-enteritis as rainy season sets in, he said there was a very good level of preparedness to tackle the situation.

He also said that government had in place a system that prepared and anticipated such outbreaks but noted that it might be difficult to determine where the outbreak would emerge.

He noted that government used to carry out preventive measures against seasonal diseases such as malaria.

The minister said that the preparation was on-going and constantly being reviewed in partnership with WHO, UNICEF and others to protect the population from diseases. (NAN) DCU/HAS/MST

Edited By Hajia Sani/Muhammad Suleiman TolaFG provides vaccines against meningitis for 420,000 people
NAN-HG-7
Vaccines
Abuja, April 12, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government on Wednesday said no fewer than 420,000 people had received meningitis vaccination to mitigate the effects of the outbreak of the disease in parts of the country.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, announced this to State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
He said that about 70 per cent of meningitis outbreak was recorded in Zamfara, noting that all the medical teams had arrived in the state to improve on the strategy to reach out to the population and spread the vaccination.
“As of now, about 420,000 people have been vaccinated in Zamfara state and I can tell you that we are beginning to see the `plato’ that is to say that the epidemic is no more rising,
“It is beginning to flatten out and we hope that it is going to come down soon.
“By this weekend, we are expecting 823,000 vaccines from the UK.
“They have been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) quality-wise.
“It is a special kind of vaccine called the conjugate vaccine which has a longer protection of about 10 years than the usual vaccine which we have been using before, which is called the polysaccharide vaccine.
“That gives protection for about two or three years.”
The minister said that as of now there were 4,637 suspected cases out of which 489 fatalities were recorded with 207 already confirmed in laboratory tests.
He said that the vaccination team would move to Sokoto State in a few days to use the vaccines to control the situation.
The minister said that the outbreak was reported late in some of the affected states, noting that people taught it was mild sickness.
He denied rumours that the vaccines had gone into private pharmacies as the vaccines had passed through the primary health care agencies of government for administration to victims.
Ehanire said government had yet to determine how many vaccines would be required but added that government had placed order for two million dozes.
He said that government would continue to administer what was provided and would make additional requests when the need arose.
He also said that response to the outbreak was professional and that health authorities were on top of the situation.
On the proactive measures being put in place for eventual outbreak of cholera and gastro-enteritis as rainy season sets in, he said there was a very good level of preparedness to tackle the situation.
He also said that government had in place a system that prepared and anticipated such outbreaks but noted that it might be difficult to determine where the outbreak would emerge.
He noted that government used to carry out preventive measures against seasonal diseases such as malaria.
The minister said that the preparation was on-going and constantly being reviewed in partnership with WHO, UNICEF and others to protect the population from diseases. (NAN)
DCU/HAS/MST
Edited By Hajia Sani/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Adamawa Govt confirms 2 cases of CSM

Adamawa Govt confirms 2 cases of CSM 

NAN-HG-8

CSM

by Muhammad Adam

Yola, April 11, 2017 (NAN) The Adamawa Government has confirmed recording two cases of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in Song and Yola South Local Government Areas.

Dr Fatima Atiku, the state Commissioner for Health, said this on Tuesday in a statement made available to newsmen in Yola.

Atiku however said that quick response teams had been deployed to the affected areas to curtail the spread of the disease.

“Recently, to my dismay, Adamawa State also the recorded two cases in week 13 from Song and Yola South Local Government Areas, respectively.

“While that of song was confirmed to be Stereotype “C”, the one in Yola South is Stereotype “A”,’’ Atiku said.

The commissioner noted that no death has resulted from any of the two cases even though they were with different strains.

Atiku said government had since ensured isolation and prompt treatment of the two diagnosed cases in the Specialist Hospital Yola and the Song Cottage Hospital.

According to her, the state government was collaborating with other relevant partners including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

She said that drugs and supplies had been supplied for the management of the cases.

“Active surveillance teams were also mounted in all the 21 local government areas especially in those affected communities,’’ said the commissioner. (NAN) AMA/OSA

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Medical Directors Guild solicits partnership to fight meningitis

Medical Directors Guild solicits partnership to fight meningitis NAN-HG-9

Directors

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, April 10, 2017 (NAN) The Guild of Medical Directors has solicited a realistic collaboration of the private sector in the fight against Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) epidemic in some states.

Dr Chito Nwana, the FCT Chapter Chairman of the guild, made the call on Monday at news conference in Abuja.

“The health sector is the most relevant sector because if one is not healthy, the person cannot be productive.

`Necessary things need to be done to provide quality healthcare delivery in the country.

“The private health sector can add value to the effort being made by the government; the role of the private sector in quality healthcare delivery cannot be overemphasised,’’ she said.

However, Nwana called for Public Private Partnership (PPP) to achieve efficient healthcare delivery in the country.

The chairman said, for instance, that government should address the issues of multiple taxation.

She commended public health officials, private health sector as well as NGOs for their contributions in controlling further spread of meningitis and loss of lives in the country.

“This is the time to highlight and to bring out the importance of the private sector in battling these conditions and being part of the management and public awareness.

“The private sector is a very strong part of our health system, and this is a good way to figure out how private and public sector can work together to battle the things that are ailing our nation.

“This will be one of the issues that will be addressed at the upcoming conference and we will develop a strategy and process of public-private engagement to which the wellbeing of the citizenry is the ultimate beneficiary,’’ she said.

The Public Relation Officer of the guild, Dr Biodun Ogungbo, advised Nigerians to be cautious about CSM and take conscious efforts by preventing the occurrence.

“Patients and the general public need to be more aware of the disease in the country and the preventive measure is keep good personal hygiene, well ventilated apartment, drink enough fluids.

“For those who have the symptoms of headache, fever, vomiting and so on should not go to a chemist, herbalist, pastors or ignoring it, but they should rather go to the hospital,’’ he advised. (NAN)

OEO/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Plateau confirms 3 cases of CSM

NAN-HG-11
Meningitis
Jos, April 10, 2017 (NAN) Dr. Kunden Deyin, the Plateau Commissioner for Health, said on Monday that the State had confirmed three cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM).

Deyin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos, that the three cases manifested clinical symptoms of the disease and laboratory tests confirmed them to be cerebrospinal meningitis.

He added, however, that the tests were yet to ascertain whether the cases were type “A” or “C”.

Deyin recalled that Plateau last administered vaccines for CSM type “A” in 2013, stressing that the vaccine was expected to last for 10 years in the individual’s system.

The commissioner said that the first suspected cases, reported from Lantang South and Mikang Local Government Areas, turned out to be false after laboratory tests.

According to him, for a state to qualify for the type “C” vaccines, it must have recorded three confirmed cases of the disease.

“It means that Plateau has qualified, but accessing the vaccines for type “C” is very difficult; currently the vaccines available worldwide are five million doses,” he said.

He said that the state was working toward curtailing the spread of the disease, and identified its major symptoms to include severe headaches, fever and neck stiffness.

The other symptoms include altered consciousness, vomiting and photophobia (fear of light), while convulsions could manifest in children.

The official urged Plateau residents to be vigilant and to report any of such symptoms to the nearest health facility.

He also advised people to avoid overcrowded places and to ensure that their bedrooms were well ventilated. (NAN)
UBO/COF/ETS
============
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare and Ephraims Sheyin