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In Brief: More meningitis vaccines needed
30 Mar 2009 19:44:11 GMT
 Source: IRIN

Background

•  Somalia in turmoil

•  Meningitis

•  Children

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DAKAR, 30 March 2009 (IRIN) - Most of the world's 25,000 meningitis infections thus far in 2009 and more than 1,500 deaths have been in what is known as Africa's "meningitis belt", which spans from Senegal to Somalia, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

As of 27 March northern Nigeria reported more than 17,462 suspected cases and 960 deaths, while neighbouring Niger reported 4,513 suspected cases and 169 deaths.

The WHO-administered meningitis vaccine stock has released 2.3 million doses to Nigeria and 1.9 million to Niger. More than 12 million doses have been stockpiled for 2009, but more will be needed to get through this year's infection season, which typically runs until June, according to WHO.

Vaccination campaigns are underway with the support of WHO, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) and the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO).

pt/np

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Background information

Briefings
Somalia troubles - [Who works where]
Meningitis - [Who works where]

Topics
Children
Facts & figures
Nigeria Niger Somalia Senegal

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Last updated:Mon Mar 30 19:44:58 2009