The Nigerian Center for Diseases Control (NCDC) has warned that meningitis could be transmitted through kissing, sneezing, and coughing.
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, a delicate coating of connective tissue that protects the brain and spinal cord from injury.
The PUNCH had reported that in 159 Local Government Areas in 32 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, 961 suspected cases of meningitis and 56 fatalities have been reported in Nigeria so far in 2022.
According to the NCDC, meningitis is a contagious illness that is prone to epidemics, and cases are continuously recorded in Nigeria. The “Meningitis Belt” of Africa, south of the Sahara Desert, has the largest load. The belt in Nigeria consists of all 19 northern states, the Federal Capital Territory, and a few southern states.
The NCDC, on its Facebook page said, “Meningitis is mostly spread from person to person through respiratory droplets e.g. coughing, sneezing & close contact such as kissing.
“Meningitis can affect anyone at any age. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms.
“Let’s take action to #DefeatMeningitis.”
The center reports that fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting, as well as photophobia (pain on exposure to bright lights), neck stiffness, and altered degrees of consciousness, are the most typical signs and symptoms of meningitis.
“In younger children, it may be more difficult to observe these signs, and irritability, poor feeding, and inactivity are common.
“Meningitis can also cause meningococcal septicemia, presenting with fatigue, severe myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting, cold extremities, rapid breathing, low blood pressure, and a purpuric (dark purple non-blanching) rash,” it added.
