According to the WHO, 18 countries submitted their epidemiological data on meningitis between January 29 and February 18, 2024 (week 5 to 7).
Epidemics:
- Ethiopia: SNNP region (Jinka Town and Leku Town)
- D.R. Congo: North Kivu province and Ituri province
Warnings:
- Benin: Zou region (Abomey district), Collines region (Bante district) and Borgou region (Nikki district)
- Cameroon: Est region (Lomie district)
- D.R. Congo: Bas-Uele province and Equateur province
- Ghana: Upper West Region
- Guinea: Conakry region (Ratoma district)
- Nigeria: Bauchi State, Gombe State
- Togo: Kara region (Doufelgou district)
Previous epidemics and warnings can be found under News at www.healthytravel.ch
Seasonal meningitis epidemics occur in sub-Saharan Africa mainly during the dry season, usually from December to June. They decline rapidly with the onset of the rains. In general, the meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and X are responsible for these outbreaks. The disease spreads from person to person by droplets. If symptoms (high fever, severe headache and vomiting) occur, a doctor should be consulted immediately and antibiotic therapy started, as the disease can lead to life-threatening conditions within hours. Vaccination against the most important strains of meningitis is available as prophylaxis for adults and children over 1 year of age.