The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says the country has recorded 74 deaths and 807 suspected cases of cerebrospinal meningitis from 22 states as of March 26, 2025.
The centre which disclosed this in a statement by its spokesperson Sani Datti, on Thursday, said the Case Fatality Rate is at 9.2 per cent as of March 26, 2025.3.27
Titled: “CSM outbreak: NCDC rapid response teams in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Katsina states,” it said its Rapid Response Teams are already in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Katsina states responding to the ongoing outbreak of the disease, adding that the deployment follows a significant increase in suspected cases reported from these states.
It said states affected are “Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Ebonyi, Oyo, Bauchi, Ondo, Kaduna, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Ekiti, Niger, Plateau, FCT, and Sokoto.
Datti said “Kebbi, Katsina, and Sokoto States have recorded the highest number of suspected cases, deaths, and CFRs, with relatively low sample collection rates, necessitating urgent intervention,” it highlighted.
The Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said the RRT will be for 14 days, and if need be, an extension will be given to the team, just as he asked people to imbibe personal safety and instructed all team members to strictly observe infection prevention and control protocols throughout the response effort.
“The deployed teams, comprising multisectoral and interdisciplinary experts—including specialists in case management and lumbar puncture techniques—are already in the affected states and working closely with the state health authorities to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
“Key objectives of the response include rapid containment of the outbreak; strengthening case management and IPC measures; enhancing surveillance and sample collection; conducting risk communication and community engagement activities; and identifying the outbreak’s source and recommending appropriate public health actions.
“The NCDC remains committed to supporting state governments and partners to safeguard the health of Nigerians through timely and effective response to public health threats,” he stated.
