14 African nations face meningitis epidemic: Red Cross
Pastor Dale Morgan
14 African nations face meningitis epidemic: Red Cross*
by Staff Writers
Geneva (AFP) Dec 21, 2007
Red Cross officials warned Thursday that 14 African countries could face
one of the worst meningitis epidemics in recent memory and announced
prevention campaigns in the affected areas.
"The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is
launching meningitis prevention activities in 14 countries across Africa
to get ready for what could be one of the worst meningitis epidemics in
a decade," a statement said.
"The first indications of an epidemic could appear as early as
February-March 2008," it said.
The affected countries stretch from the east to west coasts of Africa,
taking in Burkina Faso, Benin, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Togo
and Uganda.
The Red Cross said it would spend nearly one million Swiss francs
(602,000 euros/867,000 dollars) in a four-month awareness drive, which
would include training some 25,000 volunteers in community-based first aid.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the
central nervous system. While some forms are mild and resolve on their
own, meningitis is a potentially serious condition owing to the
proximity of the inflammation to the brain and spinal cord and can lead
to death, if untreated.
"Meningococcal meningitis is one of the most feared epidemic diseases in
Africa because of its rapid onset, high fatality rates and long-term
impacts such as brain damage and deafness affecting many survivors,"
Jari Vainio, senior Red Cross public health officer said.
The Red Cross is part of an international coordination group trying to
cope with the shortage of meningitis vaccines by sending stocks of
vaccine as soon as an epidemic is identified.
Globally, there are only about seven million doses of vaccine for a
potentially-affected population of 80 million.