A meningitis epidemic has killed 76 people in eight Sudanese states since the end of 2006, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
”An epidemic of meningitis has spread to eight states since the end of 2006 — Central, Western and Eastern Equatoria, Lakes, Western and Northern Bahr el-Ghazal, Jonglei and Warrap States,” a statement from the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNmnis) said.
”As of February 1, about 780 cases have been reported with 76 deaths,” the statement said.
The Sudanese Health Ministry has responded by launching vaccination campaigns in two of the affected states in partnership with the World Health Organisation, UNmis said.
In north-western Uganda, which borders southern Sudan, meningitis has claimed the lives of 38 people and infected 930, Ugandan health officials said Wednesday.
Meningitis is an often fatal airborne infection transmitted through sneezing and coughing that infects the brain and spinal cord. Its symptoms include fever, rashes and vomiting. — Sapa-AFP