MSF and others combat meningitis in east

International humanitarian relief NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is organising a meningitis vaccination campaign for 100,000 of the 140,000 inhabitants of the Lake Kivu island of Idjwi, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Last week, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that as of 10 Nov., 28 cases of meningitis had been diagnosed, with three deaths due to be confirmed by laboratory tests. "Establishing the intervention was complicated since the existing lab facilities were insufficient to confirm the epidemic quickly," MSF stated. MSF has flown in its own lab equipment to carry out tests. In coordination with other MSF operations in the Central African Republic and in the northeastern DRC city of Kisangani, and assisted by the NGO Aviation Sans Frontieres, MSF was able to get 75,000 vaccines and cold-chain material to the island on short notice. The Idjwi vaccination will begin on 26 Nov., but in the meantime MSF has started providing drugs and training to a Roman Catholic mission on the island treating meningitis patients. MSF reported that the outbreak is believed to have started near Katana, on the mainland shore due west of Idjwi island. Katana health zone has been particularly affected, with authorities expressing concern about their ability to contain the spread of the disease in light of a severe shortage of vaccine. OCHA reported that 518 cases had been diagnosed in Katana up to 10 Nov., with 69 deaths. The International Rescue Committee is working with the World Health Organisation and health authorities in Katana to control the outbreak, and has conducted a selective vaccination campaign of schoolchildren and medical personnel in the affected areas. Other measures being taken include community mobilisation, health education and training of health care workers. Local health authorities have warned of serious logistical difficulties in transporting patients to medical centres where appropriate care is available. Elsewhere in the region, one death among 28 cases had been found in Bukavu, while in Rwanguba, one death among 16 cases was reported. The majority of victims have been within the age range of five years to 14 years old.