Incidence of Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Two North-Western States of Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue IV, April 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Incidence of Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Two North-Western States of Nigeria

Abiodun Olaiya Paul^1*, Zachary Gwa², Felix Olaniyi Sanni³, Abiodun Ogunniyi⁴, Olumide Faith Ajani1, Oni E. Sunday⁵, Muhammed Auwal⁶, Bassey Orji Orji⁷,Chidimma E. Anyawu⁷, Armiya’u Yelwa Ahmed⁸, Abiodun Abiola Folake⁹

¹Department of National Integrated Specimen Referral Network, AXIOS International, Utako, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria
²Department of Business Development, AXIOS International, Utako, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria
³Department of Global Health, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria
⁴Department of disease control, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Utako, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria
⁵Department of Public Health, Rivers State University, Portharcout, Nigeria
⁶Medical Science Laboratory, Federal Medical Center, Gusau, Nigeria
⁷Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Nigeria
⁸Department of Public Health, Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.
⁹Department of Medical Laboratory Services, General Hospital Makurdi, Nigeria.

Abstract:-The aim of this study is to report the incidence of NmC outbreak caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NmC) in Sokoto and Zamfara between December 2016 and June 2017.From week 51 2016 to week 19, 2017, data on CSM cases and deaths were recorded on standardized line-lists from case management sites. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from suspected cases during the outbreak were tested using rapid Pastorex® latex agglutination to determine causative serogroup. A total of 5,372 cases of MNC were reported in Zamfara and Sokoto states. CSF was collected from 281 (5.2%) suspected cases (190 from Sokoto and 91 from Zamfara), there were 277 deaths in Sokoto and 81 in Zamfara, making a total of 358 deaths, 5,188 probable cases and 184 confirmed cases from both states. Out of 5,372 cases of NMC seen, 57.2% were males and 42.8% were females (M:F = 1.3:1). The most affected age group in both states was 6-15 years with 49.3% from Sokoto and 53.9% from Zamfara. The peak of meningitis cases was observed at week 7, 2017 in Zamfara and week 15 in Sokoto. Marudun local government recorded the highest incidence (146) in Zamfara whileSokoto North and South accounted for the highest incidence in Sokoto state (1016; 21.2%). Reactive vaccination in the affected areas may have helped curtail the epidemic. A vaccination campaign against NmC with a long-lasting conjugate vaccine should be considered in the northern parts of Nigeria.

Keywords: Meningitis belt, outbreak, cerebrospinal fluid, reactive vaccination, epidemiology

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