Minister of Health Isaac Adewole has confiermed that so far 328 people have died of suspected meningitis in Zamfara and Katsina states. The minister said extensive efforts had been deployed to avoid the further spread of the epidemic, also the discussion with WHO (World Health Organization) and UNICEF for supplies of vaccines and injections. Till now 500,000 doses of meningococcal vaccines have been secured, with an additional 800,000 units from the British government, By next Tuesday, there will be a meeting with the International Review Group of The World Health Organization (WHO) where request for additional vaccines shall be approved. Nigeria had always been bedeviled with the stereotype A in years past, but this new bacteria vaccine, Meningitis Stereotype C, is not commercially available, can only be shipped to the country by WHO. All Nigerians especially residents of Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, Zamfara and Jigawa states are advised to pay attention to symptoms of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) and avoid clogging together in unventilated and over-crowded rooms.
