Niger, situated in the African meningitis belt, is one of 26 African countries grappling with high rates of meningitis. Currently, the nation is experiencing a concerning surge in cases, marking a 50% increase from the previous year.
In the 16th week of 2024, Niger reported a total of 2012 meningitis cases, resulting in 123 deaths, translating to a 6.1% fatality rate. This uptick is alarming compared to the same period last year, which recorded 1389 cases and 72 deaths, with a lower fatality rate of 5.2%.
The epicenter of this epidemic is the Niamey region, exhibiting a cumulative attack rate of 52.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Other affected regions include Agadez, Zinder, and Dosso. Niamey I health district remains in an epidemic state for the sixth consecutive week, with an attack rate of 12.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Additionally, eight other health districts surpassed the alert threshold of 3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in week 16.
To combat this crisis, the World Health Organization, alongside other partners, is actively engaged in response efforts. Initiatives include case management and the organization of a vaccination campaign.
The vaccination campaign against meningitis will commence on May 2, 2024, in Niamey. This new vaccine offers protection against five prevalent strains (A, C, W, X, and Y) and requires only a single dose, distinguishing it from previous vaccines.
The WHO is extending significant support for case management by supplying medicines and resources. Furthermore, it is facilitating the mobilization of vaccines and covering operational costs through the International Coordinating Group on Immunisation (ICG). Additionally, the WHO is coordinating partner efforts to bolster Niger's response to the epidemic. Preceding the vaccination campaign, the WHO facilitated practical training in pharmacovigilance for national supervisors and pharmacovigilance supervisors.
The WHO urges all partners to take swift and coordinated action to address this critical situation and shield the population from the severe impact of meningitis.
