Meningitis Kills 1,900 in Nigeria, Niger, Chad : Charity

A meningitis outbreak has killed at least 1,900 people in three west African countries over the past four months, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres said on Wednesday.

"More than 1,900 people infected by meningitis have died since the start of the year in Nigeria, Niger and Chad," said MSF citing combined statistics from the countries' health authorities.

Meningitis - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs
Meninges are the three layers of membrane that cover the brain and infection of the cerebrospinal fluid between them causes meningitis the disease of the meninges.

Of the 1,900 fatal cases recorded, 1,500 were in Nigeria alone, some 300 in neighbouring Niger and the remainder in Chad.

In Nigeria, where more than 50,000 cases have been reported, this is the worst meningitis outbreak since 1996 when a triple epidemic of measles, cholera and meningitis killed more than 12,000 people, MSF said in a statement.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the central nervous system.

Immunization in Children - Live Attenuated Measles Vaccine
Measles vaccine is attenuated live viral vaccine and it is to be administered subcutaneous immediately after reconstruction. It also needs to be stored between 2 and 8 degree Celsius.

While some forms are mild, 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.

Source-AFP
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