Travel  Health

     Meningococcal disease in African meningitis belt, 2001.

Meningococcal disease is one of the world's leading causes of epidemic emergencies.  There are about 1.2 millon cases a year, including 135,000 deaths.  The most frequent and largest epidemics occur in the 18 sub-Saharan countries that make up the African meningitis belt.  Most of these outbreaks are caused by N meningitidis serogroup A with a smaller contribution from serogroup C and W135.  In 2001, six countries in the meningitis belt had large epidemics: Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, and Niger.  In these countries the epidemics tended to rise during the first 3 months of the year, reaching peaks from February to April, and then deline.  Emergency mass vaccination with meningococcal A&C vaccine was used in all of these countries (Epidemics of meningococcal disease, African meningitis belt, 2001.  Wkly Eipdemiol Rec 2001; 37:282-8.)

Editorial note:  In sub-Saharan Africa, epidemics of serogroup A or C meningococcal disease occur frequently during the dry season (December through June).  Meningococcal disease vaccination should be considered for people who plan to live or work in endemic countries and also for those visiting countries during epidemic periods.  A tetravalent vaccine is available that provides protection against serogroup A, C, Y and W135 disease.  A single injection induced antibodies after 10-14 days in 90% of recipients over the age of two years.  Protective immunity lasts for at least three years.

Source: New Zealand Public Heatlh Report Vol 8 No 10. Oct 2001