Control of Meningococcal Meningitis Outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa
J. infect. dev. ctries
; 2(5): 335-345, 2008.
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1263571
Responsible library:
CG1.1
ABSTRACT
Outbreaks of Neisseria meningitidis recur frequently in the African Sahel where they are responsible for high mortality and morbidity; especially in children. An effective vaccine has been in existence for more than 30 years; but despite this; the control of epidemics has failed. Moreover; the geographical distribution of N. meningitidis seems to be increasing; perhaps because of climate change but also because of the economic crisis which prevails throughout much of Africa leading to population movements and the breakdown of essential services. Although alarming; the emergence of new serogroups in recent epidemics (such as serogroups X and W135) should not mask the fact that serogroup A remains the most common meningococcal isolate from meningitis cases and is therefore the most significant target for control. The development of a low-cost conjugate meningococcal vaccine should support a strategy of preventive immunization; as this strategy is one that appears most effective to control this plague
Search on Google
Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Disease Outbreaks
/
Meningitis
/
Neisseria meningitidis
Language:
English
Journal:
J. infect. dev. ctries
Year:
2008
Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS