The current meningitis crisis in Niger has resulted in the deaths of more than 143 people, plunging the country into an alarming health emergency. To counter this epidemic, a vast vaccination campaign was launched in Niamey, the country’s capital, by the World Health Organization (WHO), in the hope of reversing the contagion curve.
Nigeriens are eagerly awaiting the return of the rainy season, hoping that this will help stem the dreaded disease. Meningitis, an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, is a seasonal disease that occurs primarily in the Sahel, a semi-arid region stretching across Mali, Niger, Chad and Sudan, mainly during the dry season from November to May, marked by dust, winds and cold nights.
Hundreds of Nigeriens are flocking to every vaccination center in their community to receive their dose of vaccine. Many of them hope that the campaign will be extended to the whole country in the coming days. The WHO vaccination covers people aged 1 to 19 years. Niamey, the capital of Niger, recorded the highest number of cases this year, with a cumulative incidence proportion of 52.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
“Since the epidemic threshold has been reached in three health districts, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Affairs has requested operational assistance from the International Coordination Group (ICG) for the Supply of Vaccines. To respond to the epidemic, a vaccination campaign will be carried out in the five health districts of the region,” said Sahabi Assoumane, a public health official in the city.
The desert towns of Agadez and Dosso are the most affected after Niamey. An epidemic of meningitis in the Sahel between 1996-1997 led to the death of around 25,000 people out of more than 250,000 recorded cases, according to the WHO.
This meningitis crisis in Niger highlights the crucial importance of vaccination campaigns to stem the spread of serious and potentially fatal diseases. It also highlights the need for constant public health vigilance to protect vulnerable populations. Health authorities and international organizations must coordinate their efforts to put in place effective preventive measures and save lives.