Latest news with #AfricanMeningitisBelt
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nigeria has received more than 1 million vaccines to fight an ongoing meningitis outbreak
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria has received more than 1 million vaccines from the Gavi-funded global stockpile to combat a meningitis outbreak in the northern part of the country, the government said on Friday. At least 74 people have died from the disease, with more than 800 cases reported across 23 of Nigeria's 36 states, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, or NCDC. The northern region of the country has been hit hardest by the disease. Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said that the arrival of the vaccines is a crucial milestone in Nigeria's response to the current meningitis outbreak. 'We have prioritized epidemic preparedness and rapid response as part of our broader health security agenda,' Pate said in a joint statement by the global vaccine alliance Gavi, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the Nigerian government. The vaccine is also critical to Nigeria's long-term health security and helping prevent future outbreaks and safeguarding future generations, said Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO's representative in Nigeria. Meningitis, more common during the hot season in Nigeria, affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It's a significant public health challenge in Africa's most populous country, which is also battling malaria. Nigeria previously received aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development to combat these diseases, but that support has recently been withdrawn. Nigeria is located in an area known as the African Meningitis Belt. Between 2022 and 2023, the country recorded 2,765 suspected cases and 190 deaths, according to NCDC. Nigeria is working to implement a road map approved by the World Health Assembly in November 2020 that aims to eradicate meningitis by 2030.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Nigeria has received more than 1 million vaccines to fight an ongoing meningitis outbreak
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria has received more than 1 million vaccines from the Gavi-funded global stockpile to combat a meningitis outbreak in the northern part of the country, the government said on Friday. At least 74 people have died from the disease, with more than 800 cases reported across 23 of Nigeria's 36 states, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, or NCDC. The northern region of the country has been hit hardest by the disease. Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said that the arrival of the vaccines is a crucial milestone in Nigeria's response to the current meningitis outbreak. 'We have prioritized epidemic preparedness and rapid response as part of our broader health security agenda,' Pate said in a joint statement by the global vaccine alliance Gavi, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the Nigerian government. The vaccine is also critical to Nigeria's long-term health security and helping prevent future outbreaks and safeguarding future generations, said Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO's representative in Nigeria. Meningitis, more common during the hot season in Nigeria, affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It's a significant public health challenge in Africa's most populous country, which is also battling malaria. Nigeria previously received aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development to combat these diseases, but that support has recently been withdrawn. Nigeria is located in an area known as the African Meningitis Belt. Between 2022 and 2023, the country recorded 2,765 suspected cases and 190 deaths, according to NCDC. Nigeria is working to implement a road map approved by the World Health Assembly in November 2020 that aims to eradicate meningitis by 2030.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nigerian authorities confirm meningitis outbreak in northwest has killed 26 people since January
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian authorities confirmed Tuesday that a meningitis outbreak in the northwest was behind the death of at least 26 people over several weeks. The spread of the disease in the state of Kebbi began late January with over 200 suspected cases recorded, the state commissioner for health, Musa Ismail, told reporters in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. Ismail also said medical supplies have already been dispatched to the affected areas, and isolation centers set up to prevent the further spread of the disease. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Sokoto, another state in the northwest and about 150 kilometers (90 miles) away from Kebbi, has urged residents to remain vigilant after several cases were suspected. Sokoto state commissioner of health, Faruk Abubakar, said residents should take precautionary measures and seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility if they are experiencing symptoms such as high fever, stiff neck and severe headaches. Meningitis, more common during the hot season in Nigeria, is a significant public health challenge in Africa's most populous country that affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Additionally to this communicable disease, Nigeria is also battling malaria and has the highest burden in the world. Nigeria previously received aid from the United States Agency for International Development to combat these diseases, but that support has recently been withdrawn. Between 2022 and 2023, Nigeria, located in an area known as the African Meningitis Belt, recorded 2,765 suspected cases and 190 deaths, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2024, the World Health Organization said 153 people died in a similar outbreak. The west African country is working to implement a roadmap approved by the World Health Assembly in November 2020 that aims to eradicate meningitis by 2030. Nigeria has 36 states.
Washington Post
11-03-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Nigerian authorities confirm meningitis outbreak in northwest has killed 26 people since January
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities confirmed Tuesday that a meningitis outbreak in the northwest was behind the death of at least 26 people over several weeks. The spread of the disease in the state of Kebbi began late January with over 200 suspected cases recorded, the state commissioner for health, Musa Ismail, told reporters in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. Ismail also said medical supplies have already been dispatched to the affected areas, and isolation centers set up to prevent the further spread of the disease. Sokoto, another state in the northwest and about 150 kilometers (90 miles) away from Kebbi, has urged residents to remain vigilant after several cases were suspected. Sokoto state commissioner of health, Faruk Abubakar, said residents should take precautionary measures and seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility if they are experiencing symptoms such as high fever, stiff neck and severe headaches. Meningitis, more common during the hot season in Nigeria, is a significant public health challenge in Africa's most populous country that affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Additionally to this communicable disease, Nigeria is also battling malaria and has the highest burden in the world. Nigeria previously received aid from the United States Agency for International Development to combat these diseases, but that support has recently been withdrawn . Between 2022 and 2023, Nigeria, located in an area known as the African Meningitis Belt, recorded 2,765 suspected cases and 190 deaths, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2024, the World Health Organization said 153 people died in a similar outbreak. The west African country is working to implement a roadmap approved by the World Health Assembly in November 2020 that aims to eradicate meningitis by 2030. Nigeria has 36 states.
