The Bauchi State Commissioner of Health, Dr Adamu Sambo has confirmed six reported cases of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM).
He stated this when asked about measures put in place to curtail any outbreak in the state as neighboring Yobe State battles with the outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis.
“We recorded 6 confirmed cases of cerebrospinal meningitis in the State, but measures are in place to curtail its spread, especially in local government areas bordering Yobe state, which are Dambam, Gamawa, katagum, It’s/Gadau, and Zaki.”
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an official with the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency earlier said contact tracing is currently ongoing in local government areas bordering Yobe State.
He added that a team from the National Primary Health Development Agency is in the State for surveillance and support to curtail its spread.
According to him, it is only the Ministry of Health after briefing the Governor and other relevant partners that can pronounce an outbreak of any disease.
According to the WHO, Meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating disease and remains a major public health challenge.
The disease can be caused by many different pathogens including bacteria, fungi or viruses, but the highest global burden is seen with bacterial meningitis.
The WHO said the bacteria that cause meningitis are transmitted from person-to-person through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions from carriers.
Close and prolonged contact – such as kissing, sneezing or coughing on someone, or living in close quarters with an infected person, facilitates the spread of the disease.
The average incubation period is 4 days but can range between 2 and 10 days.
”Neisseria meningitidis only infects humans. The bacteria can be carried in the throat and can sometimes overwhelm the body’s defences allowing infection to spread through the bloodstream to the brain.
“A significant proportion of the population (between 5 and 10%) carries Neisseria meningitidis in their throat at any given time,” the WHO said.
By Lizzy Carr
