The National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, has called on Nigerians to be vigilant against meningitis through vaccination and early detection of symptoms.
The Executive Director of the agency, Dr Muyi Aina, who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, described meningitis as a life-threatening infection.
”It is a serious infection that can cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
”The most common symptoms are high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and confusion,” he said.
Aina said that Nigerians should be very vigilant to ensure early detection and treatment.
”It is also very important to get vaccinated against meningitis. It can be life-threatening.
”Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent meningitis, it can help to protect individuals from the disease,” he said.
The NPHCDA executive director said that by getting vaccinated and ensuring early detection of the symptoms, Nigerians would be protected from the disease.
According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, skipping vaccinations is one of the major risk factors of meningitis.
The WHO also says that most cases of viral meningitis occur in children under age five, while bacterial meningitis is common in individuals under age 20.
