Meningitis Epidemic in Niger

The meningitis epidemic, which has been plaguing several regions of Niger since January, has resulted in 352 deaths out of the 5273 cases recorded by the health authorities (on 8 May 2015) . The capital, Niamey has been particularly badly hit by the epidemic with close to 1,200 admissions in the last week. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is stepping up its efforts with almost 430 beds to provide free medical care for patients.
Given the lack of vaccines available globally, the current priority is to focus on treating patients. As such, the medical teams are busy diagnosing and treating patients as soon as possible in order to reduce morbidity and mortality.
MSF will also support health centres around Niamey in treating simple cases and referring severe cases using five ambulances. MSF has deployed medical teams to the Lazaret health centre in Niamey where over 2,500 patients have been admitted since the centre opened on 23 March.

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