Meningitis outbreaks in BURKINA FASO / SUDAN / UGANDA / COTE D'IVOIRE / MALI / BENIN / GHANA / TOGO / GUINEA / NIGERIA / INDIA
April 3, 2008
April 2008 -- A recent outbreak of meningitis in Southern Sudan has infected more than 11,786 people killing 704. There are 2,000 cases with 65 deaths in Uganda and health officials expect more cases to surface. Burkina Faso has reported 3181 cases with 366 deaths in Feb/Mar '08; Cote d'Ivoire has 100 cases with 14 dead; Niger has 84 cases with 14 dead; Mali has 73 cases with 6 dead; Benin has 68 cases with 16 dead. Nigeria is reporting scores dead. Meningitis is endemic to most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. This has been a long standing problem in India, especially in the Calcutta, Nadia and Murshidabad districts. Vaccination prior to travel is recommended for travelers to these areas. (Note: current vaccines are extremely effective.)
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