Nigeria has made history by becoming the first country to roll out a new vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to protect against different types of meningitis.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by infection. It can be fatal. Meningitis can be caused by several species of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
Meningitis spreads through coughing, sneezing, or living closely with someone who is infected.
The 1996 outbreak in northern Nigeria affecting over 120,000 people and causing 12,000 deaths – and described by the WHO as the largest in recorded history .
This new vaccine targets the most common types of meningitis in Nigeria, which could help control the disease better.
Although meningitis usually affects African countries, there have been outbreaks in other places like Canada, Belgium, France, Brazil, and Denmark.
Recognizing symptoms of Meningitis:
The main symptoms are sudden high fever, backache, stiff neck, headaches, nausea, vomiting and intense dislike for sunlight (photophobia).
Patients with a severe infection can experience confusion, delirium and loss of consciousness. Meningitis can affect people of any age.
