WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 2: 2 to 8 January 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 8 January 2023
...
Meningitis Niger
376 cases
12 Deaths
3.0% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
A meningitis outbreak has been ongoing in the Zinder region
of Niger, since early November 2022. From 1 November to 31
December 2022, a total of 376 suspected meningitis cases,
including 111 confirmed cases with 12 deaths, case fatality
ratio (CFR=3%), have been reported from (55%) six out of 11
health districts of Zinder region. Notably, in week 52 of 2022,
30 suspected meningitis cases with one death were reported
nationally from Zinder Region. The affected health districts are
Dungass, Magaria, Matameye, Mirriah, Zinder, and Goure health
districts.
Only Dungass health district has crossed the epidemic threshold,
while Mirriah and Matameye (Kantché) health districts have
reached the alert threshold. The outbreak is spreading from
the Dungass health district to the neighbouring health districts,
namely Magaria, ZindhaveVille, Kantché, Gouré and Mirriah.
Since the beginning of this outbreak, Dungass health districts
have reported 70% of all cases (271 cases and five deaths),
followed by Magaria (19 cases and three deaths), Matameye (46
cases and two deaths), Mirriah (37 cases and one death), Zinder
(two cases, and one death), and Gouré (one case and zero death).
As of 31 December 2022, 197 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples
have been collected for laboratory analysis. Of the 154 CSF
samples analysed, 111 (72%) were positive, including two for
Hemophilus Influenzae (2%), 104 for Neisseria Meningitidis
(94%), and five for Streptococcus pneumoniae (4%).
The age group between 2 to 14 years old (64%) is the most
affected, followed by the age group of 15 to 29 years (27%). Males
and females have been equally affected, with males contributing
slightly more cases, 53%.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
A coordination team for outbreak response, including all
partners, is in place. Coordination activities, including the
one health technical committee meeting at the national and
departmental level are organised regularly.
A Surge team was deployed in the affected region to support
the investigation and response activities.
The Meningitis response plan has been finalized.
Surveillance system activities have been reinforced in the
Zinder region especially in Dungass health district, including
cases investigations in the integrated health centres affected.
Laboratory activities are ongoing, including samples
collection and laboratory transmission for analysis and
confirmation
Case management activities, including procurement of
ceftriaxone, cases isolation, deployment of health workers
for case management, distribution of case management
guidelines and provision of free treatment to cases are
ongoing
Risks communication and community engagement activities,
including meeting with administrators and community
leaders in districts, advocacy meetings, delivering messages
through community radios, and sensitisation on the use of
health services continue.
Logistic and immunization activities, including the reception
of 295 200 doses of vaccines, provision of tents for
vaccination sites, and logistics management are underway.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Bacterial meningitis remains a significant public health problem
in Africa, especially in countries that lie along the meningitis belt,
which include Niger. In addition to this outbreak, the government
of Niger is facing a humanitarian crisis linked to insecurity in
the Sahel region and other disease outbreaks, namely measles,
yellow fever and the COVID-19 pandemic. The high recorded
case fatality rate for this meningitis outbreak is concerning and
highlights the need to strengthen the early identification of cases
and case management. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for
a reactive meningitis vaccination campaign to stop the chain of
transmission in the affected districts and districts at high risk.
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 2: 2 to 8 January 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 8 January 2023
...
Meningitis Niger
376 cases
12 Deaths
3.0% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
A meningitis outbreak has been ongoing in the Zinder region
of Niger, since early November 2022. From 1 November to 31
December 2022, a total of 376 suspected meningitis cases,
including 111 confirmed cases with 12 deaths, case fatality
ratio (CFR=3%), have been reported from (55%) six out of 11
health districts of Zinder region. Notably, in week 52 of 2022,
30 suspected meningitis cases with one death were reported
nationally from Zinder Region. The affected health districts are
Dungass, Magaria, Matameye, Mirriah, Zinder, and Goure health
districts.
Only Dungass health district has crossed the epidemic threshold,
while Mirriah and Matameye (Kantché) health districts have
reached the alert threshold. The outbreak is spreading from
the Dungass health district to the neighbouring health districts,
namely Magaria, ZindhaveVille, Kantché, Gouré and Mirriah.
Since the beginning of this outbreak, Dungass health districts
have reported 70% of all cases (271 cases and five deaths),
followed by Magaria (19 cases and three deaths), Matameye (46
cases and two deaths), Mirriah (37 cases and one death), Zinder
(two cases, and one death), and Gouré (one case and zero death).
As of 31 December 2022, 197 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples
have been collected for laboratory analysis. Of the 154 CSF
samples analysed, 111 (72%) were positive, including two for
Hemophilus Influenzae (2%), 104 for Neisseria Meningitidis
(94%), and five for Streptococcus pneumoniae (4%).
The age group between 2 to 14 years old (64%) is the most
affected, followed by the age group of 15 to 29 years (27%). Males
and females have been equally affected, with males contributing
slightly more cases, 53%.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
A coordination team for outbreak response, including all
partners, is in place. Coordination activities, including the
one health technical committee meeting at the national and
departmental level are organised regularly.
A Surge team was deployed in the affected region to support
the investigation and response activities.
The Meningitis response plan has been finalized.
Surveillance system activities have been reinforced in the
Zinder region especially in Dungass health district, including
cases investigations in the integrated health centres affected.
Laboratory activities are ongoing, including samples
collection and laboratory transmission for analysis and
confirmation
Case management activities, including procurement of
ceftriaxone, cases isolation, deployment of health workers
for case management, distribution of case management
guidelines and provision of free treatment to cases are
ongoing
Risks communication and community engagement activities,
including meeting with administrators and community
leaders in districts, advocacy meetings, delivering messages
through community radios, and sensitisation on the use of
health services continue.
Logistic and immunization activities, including the reception
of 295 200 doses of vaccines, provision of tents for
vaccination sites, and logistics management are underway.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Bacterial meningitis remains a significant public health problem
in Africa, especially in countries that lie along the meningitis belt,
which include Niger. In addition to this outbreak, the government
of Niger is facing a humanitarian crisis linked to insecurity in
the Sahel region and other disease outbreaks, namely measles,
yellow fever and the COVID-19 pandemic. The high recorded
case fatality rate for this meningitis outbreak is concerning and
highlights the need to strengthen the early identification of cases
and case management. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for
a reactive meningitis vaccination campaign to stop the chain of
transmission in the affected districts and districts at high risk.
Comment