Alerts of meningococcal meningitis from countries in EMR

ABSTRACT

Since the beginning of 2009, WHO received alerts of meningococcal meningitis from two countries in the Region. By end of international epidemiological week 10, Sudan reported 138 cases of meningococcal meningitis including nine related deaths [CFR 6.5%] from Kapoeta and Budi counties, Eastern Equatoria State of southern Sudan. Nisseria Meningitidis, Serogroup A was identified in 8 out of 11 samples tested by Pasteurex, and were isolated in 4 out of 6 samples. In northern Sudan a total of 248 cases including 10 deaths [CFR=4%] from 10 states. Response efforts included risk assessment, case management and targeted immunizations of people aged 2-30 years. Qatar reported 8 isolated cases of meningococcal meningitis between January and 12th February. Three of them were fatal. N. meningitidis sero-group B and W135 were isolated from 6 samples