MENINGITIS -- KEEPING YOURSELF SAFE DURING THE MENINGITIS OUTBREAK

You must have heard or read a thing or two about the meningitis outbreak on-going in the country now. If you have, here’s further information on how to keep safe, along with your team. If you haven’t, here’s another chance.

Meningitis outbreaks are not new, especially in Nigeria. However, they have been limited to particular regions, referred to as the Meningitis Belt. This belt covers majorly the North West and North Central regions of Nigeria and involves the following states: Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nassarawa, Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Kano,

In this outbreak, even though cases are more concentrated in these states, there have been more instances of sporadic cases in other parts than usual like Lagos, Osun, Cross Rivers and Plateau.

Another difference this outbreak has from the others is the strain of the causative organism, which is Neisseria Meningitides, a bacterium. Usually, the strain seen is the type A, for which vaccines were developed, but the strain affecting victims is the type C of the bacteria. Nigerians have not been previously vaccinated against this. So, combating this outbreak has been like starting the battle with meningitis for the first time.

You still don’t know what meningitis is?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges. The meninges are the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can occur when fluid surrounding the meninges becomes infected. Now infection can be of bacterial or viral origin. These are the most common causes as well as the most contagious. 

Less common causes of meningitis are: cancer, chemical irritation, fungi, and drug allergies.

What we are talking about here though is the bacterial meningitis as that’s the cause of this outbreak.

The common culprits are Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is typically found in the respiratory tract, sinuses, and nasal cavity and can cause what’s called “pneumococcal meningitis”, Haemophilus influenza, which can cause not only meningitis but infection of the blood, inflammation of the windpipe, cellulitis, and infectious arthritis, Listeria monocytogenes, which is a foodborne bacteria and the guilty one in this instance, Neisseria meningitidis, which is spread through saliva and other respiratory fluids and causes what’s called “meningococcal meningitis”

Learn to recognise the symptoms.

These symptoms develop suddenly. They may include: altered mental status, nausea, vomiting, a sensitivity to light, irritability, a headache, a fever, a stiff neck.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms. Bacterial meningitis can be deadly. There’s no way to know if you have bacterial or viral meningitis just by judging how you feel. Your doctor will need to perform tests to determine which type you have. Scary complications that can arise from a meningococcal infection are seizures, hearing loss, brain damage, hydrocephalus, a subdural effusion, or a buildup of fluid between the brain and the skull.

How is Meningitis treated?

Bacterial meningitis requires immediate hospitalization. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent brain damage and death. Bacterial meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics. There’s no specific antibiotic for bacterial meningitis. It depends on the bacteria involved.

How contagious is meningitis? Very.

What puts you at risk for meningitis?

Meningitis is easily spread when people live in close quarters. Small spaces increase chances of exposure. These kinds of places are boarding schools, daycare centres, co-working spaces, barracks, and college dormitories.

Any immune deficiency makes you more vulnerable to infections that cause meningitis. This can be as a result of auto-immune disorders, chemotherapy, and organ or bone transplants, HIV or AIDS.

All ages are at risk for meningitis. However, certain age groups have a higher risk. Children under the age of 5 are at increased risk of viral meningitis. Infants are at higher risk of bacterial meningitis. This outbreak however has affected mostly the age group 5-14 years.

How to prevent?

Carriers can infect other people through activities like: open-mouthed kissing, sharing food or utensils, coughing, sneezing. Avoid close proximity with carriers

 Avoid sharing any items that may contain saliva as well

Get vaccinated!

Due to the severity of the sepsis that results, ICU care is required for many of the patients to survive. This level of care is not readily available in all areas of Nigeria especially in the regions where the outbreak is most prevalent.

Air ambulances would be very useful for transferring patients with meningococcal sepsis for ICU care in centres in cities where ICU care is readily available, in Nigeria and Africa, saving countless lives in the process.

Reference: WHO Meningitis Factsheet