Nigeria Meningitis outbreak

Nigeria is in a grip of the worst meningitis outbreak in the country. Identified as meningitis C, the country is battling to curb the disease. The death toll from this epidemic has passed 1 thousand as a vaccination program struggles to keep up with demand. Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infection of the surrounding fluid. Now, we are told that the epidemic has spread to Liberia. According to media reports, the disease has spread to 23 of the country’s 36 states but does appear to be slowing down. In 1996 alone, Meningitis killed more than 11 thousand people in Nigeria. To help us discuss this epidemic we are joined on the line by:• Dr Anne von Gottberg: Clinical Microbiologist: Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis: National Institute for Communicable Diseases• Dr Mary Stephen: The WHO Disease Control and Prevention advisor, World Health Organisation• Dr Benjamin Kagina: Research Officer and Vaccinologist: Vaccines For Africa Initiative unit, Department: Public Health & Family Medicine University of Cape Town.