The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris, on Friday, said the country is responding to other disease outbreaks apart from Lassa Fever.

Idris, who made this known at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, noted that diphtheria, measles, and meningitis claimed 711 lives between 2022 and 2024.

According to him, Nigeria has recorded 507 cases of meningitis and 63 deaths since October 2023; and 16,248 cases of diphtheria and 646 deaths since 2022.

He also said that as of the first five weeks of 2024, the country recorded 516 confirmed cases of measles and two deaths.

“At this period in our country, we are also responding to other disease outbreaks including meningitis (507 cases and 63 deaths in 19 states), measles (915 suspected, 516 confirmed cases with 2 deaths in 29 states), diphtheria (16,248 cases and 646 deaths in 22 states), and cholera.

“These statistics recorded are high and totally unacceptable to government. So, safeguarding our health is our collective responsibility,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NCDC DG commended the states governments, healthcare workers, and other stakeholders for responding to the outbreaks.

“We sincerely acknowledge and commend the efforts of all the affected States Governments including the Federal Capital Territory, the various State Ministries of Health, the numerous Health workers, and other stakeholders who have taken charge of these situations in their various states. In the spirit of collaboration, we will continue to support them.

“Health Security, as outlined in the four-point agenda by the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, and which the current administration has considered critical, is a collective responsibility. you, our people also have a crucial role to play in terms of positive health behavior as advised,” he stated. (The PUNCH)

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