Meningitis outbreak in the north

A meningitis vaccination campaign that began on 24 July in parts of northern Burundi was extended on Monday to two areas where six people were reported to have died from the disease last week, a health ministry official told IRIN.

The six deaths occurred in the two communes in the northern province of Kayanza.

"One case of meningitis has been identified and confirmed at Gahombo following medical tests in Bujumbura [the capital], where we have a well-equipped laboratory," George Nsengiyumva, the director-general at the health ministry, said. "People in Gahombo and Muhanga communes are being vaccinated."

Sixteen other people have been admitted to health centres in the two communes, according to an official at the provincial health department of Kayanza who requested anonymity.

The UN World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) are supporting the campaign. UNICEF has contributed fuel to transport the anti-meningitis vaccines and trained vaccinators. WHO is supplying vaccines and logistical support.

Since 24 July, more than 251,000 people have received anti-meningitis vaccines in three communes of Kiremba, Marangara and Ngozi in the northern province of Ngozi, a WHO official, Kossi Ayigan, told IRIN on Monday.

Cases of meningitis appeared in July in Kiremba.

On Monday, people in the commune of Busiga, in Ngozi Province, also began being vaccinated. The campaign will continue in two other northern provinces, Muyinga and Kirundo.