WHO reported on the meningococcal disease situation in the African Meningitis Belt. During the first 11 weeks of 2009 (January 1- March 15), a total of 24,868 suspected cases, including 1,513 deaths, have been reported to WHO by countries of the meningitis belt. More than 85% of the cases have occurred in one epidemic foci, encompassing Northern Nigeria and Niger and are characterized by the predominance of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) serogroup A. WHO said it is supporting the Nigerian Federal and National Ministry of Health to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, case management and in defining adapted vaccination strategies. Technical experts from WHO have been supporting the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria since mid February 2009.

The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision for Epidemic Meningitis Control (ICG) have released 2.3 million doses of polysaccharide vaccines to Nigeria and 1.9 million doses of vaccine to Niger. ICG partners include WHO, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, United Nations Children Fund, Médecins sans Frontières). The stockpile of the ICG for this epidemic season was set at 12.97 million doses. The emergency stockpile has been established with the support of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and EU Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO).

http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_03_25/en/index.html 25 March 2009