February 01, (THEWILL) – The National Orientation Agency has cautioned Nigerians against overcrowding in homes and public spaces, warning that such conditions could trigger an outbreak of Cerebral Spinal Meningitis.
The Akwa Ibom State Director of NOA, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, raised the alarm while addressing journalists in Uyo on Friday.
He noted that although CSM was previously endemic in specific regions, climate change has facilitated its spread to other parts of the country.
Mkpoutom explained that CSM, which predominantly affects children and adolescents, thrives in environments with dusty winds, low humidity, and overcrowded living conditions.
He said, “These diseases are highly communicable and account for significant hospitalizations and deaths, especially among children and the elderly.
“Low humidity, dusty winds, and overcrowding are key contributors to the spread of CSM, with young children and adolescents being particularly vulnerable.”
He urged communities to adopt robust water sanitation and hygiene practices to curb the transmission of cholera and Lassa fever. Mkpoutom also stressed the importance of immunizing children to protect them from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Warning of the rising threat of Lassa fever in parts of the country, Mkpoutom called for heightened public health preparedness to forestall potential outbreaks.
“Recognizing the overlapping periods of heightened risk for these diseases and the need for coordinated action, this integrated preventive campaign aims to strengthen public health preparedness and response across all 31 local government areas,” he stated.
According to him, Lassa fever cases typically surge during the dry season, from November to April, due to increased human contact with infected rodents and poor hygiene practices.
“Lassa fever remains endemic in several states, necessitating robust community education on rodent control and encouraging early treatment-seeking behavior,” he added.
