The death toll of a meningitis outbreak in Nigeria has reached 813 sixteen weeks after it started.

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, who made the revelation on Wednesday in Abuja, said the disease is now spreading more slowly.

“As of yesterday (Tuesday), the number of deaths stood at 813”, he said after the presidential meeting cabinet meeting, adding however, “As of now, we are also noticing a decline”.

“This is week 16. This is also expected because we are moving away from the active season. We are confident that in the next couple of weeks everything will be over.”