Rapid reaction teams are sent by NCDC to Jigawa, Yobe, and Katsina.

A Rapid Response Team (RRT) from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has been sent to Jigawa, Yobe, and Katsina States.

This was said on Monday in Abuja during a Ministerial biweekly meeting on the update of COVID-19 response and development in the nation's health sector by Dr. Pricilla Ibekwe, Head of the Special Projects and Partnerships Unit at NCDC.

Ibekwe stated that the RET's deployment came in response to the State Government's report of an increase in suspected Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) cases.

The brain and spinal cord's protective membranes become acutely inflamed in CSM.

It is a highly dangerous infection that, if untreated, can be fatal.

CSM is still a significant problem for public health in the African meningitis belt, affecting 25 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria, among other nations.

Ibekwe stated that according to the preliminary reports, there were 117 suspected cases and 12 confirmed cases from EPI Week 49 in 2022 and EPI Week II in 2023, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 27%.

However, because Yobe and Katsina States are close to Jigawa, she added, "We have also deployed RRT personnel to Yobe and Katsina to analyze, improve on the level of readiness and to perform active CSM case finding for early detection of cases already exist."

In the meanwhile, she advised Nigerians to prevent overcrowding and make sure their homes have enough ventilation to prevent the spread of CSM.

When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or blow into your elbow.

Wash your hands often, particularly after sneezing or coughing.

If you get a sudden high temperature or neck stiffness, seek diagnosis and treatment at a medical facility, she suggested.

She urged all medical professionals to take universal care precautions at all times, such as donning gloves when caring for a sick relative or touching patients.

If you encounter any of the above-mentioned signs or symptoms, it is imperative that you immediately report to the nearest medical facility.

She said, "Kindly advise any member(s) of your family or community who exhibits any of the listed signs or symptoms to report to the nearest health center.

However, she asserted that prompt treatment and admission to a medical center boost the likelihood of survival.