Meningitis Activity in Africa

Updated: March 27, 2003

Health Canada continues to monitor meningitis activity in and around the "Meningitis Belt" in Africa, where the disease is known to occur.

Sporadic meningococcal meningitis occurs throughout the world with seasonal variations. The largest and most frequently recurring outbreaks have been in the semi-arid area of sub-Saharan Africa, designated as the "African Meningitis Belt". The belt extends from Guinea to Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and western Eritrea in the east. Epidemics most often occur during the dry season (December to June) in this region. There are 13 recognized serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis. Serogroups A, B and C account for roughly 90% of outbreaks of meningococcal disease; groups Y and W-135 are less common causes of infection.

Burkina Faso and Niger are currently experiencing increased reports of meningitis.

• In Burkina Faso, as of March 6th, 3,691 cases, including 542 deaths, have occurred in the country since the outbreak began in January 2003. Of the 53 districts in Burkina Faso, five districts have reached epidemic threshold: Batie, Bogande, Manga, Po and Zabre, and eight districts are in the alert phase: Boulsa, Bousse, Dande, Leo, Nanoro, Sapone, Sector 30 of Ouagadougou, and Zorgho.
  Serogroups A and W-135 have been confirmed.
  
  
• In Niger, as of March 9th, 2,056 cases, including 195 deaths, have been reported since the outbreak began in February 2003. Of the 42 districts in Niger, three districts have reached epidemic threshold: Magaria, Aguié and Matameye, and four districts are in the alert phase: Madarounfa, Madaou, Tahoua and Mirriah.
  Serogroup A has been confirmed.

Source: World Health Organization

Recommendations
Health Canada strongly recommends that Canadians travelling to countries in the African Meningitis Belt, and specifically to Burkina Faso and Niger at this time, seek an individual risk assessment consultation with their personal physician or a travel medicine clinic before departure to determine their risk for meningitis infection and their need for vaccination. Canadians living in Burkina Faso and Niger should ensure that their meningitis vaccination status is current.

For additional information, visit our Disease Information Backgrounder on Meningitis at:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/info/meningitis_e.html,
or visit the CATMAT-Travel Medicine Statement on Meningococcal Vaccination for Travellers at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/99vol25/25sup/acs5.html.

For specific information on reported cases of meningitis in the above countries and others, visit the Travel Medicine Program page, International Reports of Meningitis at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp
/tmp-pmv/men_e.html.

Physicans are encouraged to visit the Travel Medicine Program's page on the "Canadian Supply Shortage of Menomune® A/C/Y/W135 Meningococcal Vaccine" at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp
/tmp-pmv/2003/cssmv-pvams_e.html,
and the most recent page entitled "Canadian Supply of Menomune® A/C/Y/W135 Meningococcal Vaccine Restored" at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2003/
menomune20030310_e.html.