1,193 die of meningitis, so far

The World Health Organization reported on Tuesday that it had recorded 1,193 deaths from meningitis in three Sahelian countries between 25 December 2000 and Sunday. The dead were among 9,109 cases WHO recorded during this period. Among the dead, 719 were in Burkina Faso and occurred from 1 January to 18 March; 337 were in Chad from 25 December 2000 to 18 March; another 137 were in Niger from 2 January to 28 February. In Burkina Faso, WHO is providing vaccines through the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine provision for Epidemic Meningitis Control. The effort in Chad is being spearheaded by Medicins sans Frontieres Belgium, which is also conducting mass vaccinations in the prefectures of Moyen Chari, Mayo Kebb, Logone Oriental and Logone Occidental. The most affected areas in Niger are the districts of Gaya, Dosso, Madoua and the outskirts of the Niger capital, Niamey.