Source:
https://scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/2089030/meningitis-outbreak-nigeria-kills-745-and-infects-more-8000 Africa
Meningitis outbreak in Nigeria kills 745 and infects more than 8,000
Nigerian Doctor Rilwanu Mohammed (L), Executive Secretary of the Federal capital Primary Health Care Development Board, vaccinates a resident for Meningitis in Dakwa village. Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control reports a meningitis outbreak as 15 states have been affected. Photo: EPA
Health officials say Nigeria’s meningitis outbreak has killed at least 745 people as of Monday.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says 8,057 suspected meningitis cases have been reported. Most have been located in the northern states of Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger and Sokoto since the disease surfaced in December.
The federal government has kicked off a nationwide vaccination campaign for millions of people, though there is a worldwide shortage for the strain, which inflames the spinal cord and brain.
Most of the victims have been children.
A meningitis epidemic killed 1,100 people and infected more than 10,000 in Nigeria and neighbouring Niger in 2015. There are fears that this outbreak could again spread across the border.