Residents of the Federal Capital Territory have been thrown into apprehension over threat of outbreak of meningitis. The anxiety followed a recent warning by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abuja Operations that residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) adopt measures to avert outbreak of meningitis.
The agency’s Head of Abuja Operations, Samuel Bitrus, gave the warning during stakeholders Round Table conference for awareness and sensitisation campaign on cerebrospinal meningitis. He said the warning was based on the heat waves currently experienced in parts of the country.
He disclosed that FCT is one of the states at risk of an outbreak, adding that about 12 cases were recorded in Abuja in 2017, hence the need to increase awareness to curtail the outbreak in 2018.
He explained that Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) has been exacerbated by climate change, hence, the need to promote climate change adaptation and disaster mitigation through sensitisation and public awareness to reduce risk in communities within the FCT.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Senior Public health specialist Emergency Management Centre For Disease Control, Dr Muhammad Saleh, noted that North Eastern, Western and Central states are at high risk of the epidemic, adding that individuals living in those states should take preventive measures, such that when the disease is noticed, people should seek medical attention at the nearest health facilities.
Dr. Saleh while speaking on common symptoms of the disease said the commonest symptoms include, fever, neck pain and general body loss, while for toddlers, they include inability to suck breast milk, among others, though the commonest symptoms is neck stiffness.
He admonished Nigerians to prevent the epidemic by engaging in proper hygiene including washing of hand before and after eating as well as environmental sanitation.
