At least 217 people have succumbed to spinal meningitis over the past two months in Togo, Burkina Faso and Ghana, according to a recent World Health Organization (who) report. who said in a statement that at least 1,571 people have been affected by the epidemic, adding that the figure was based on reports from the three governments received at the regional offices of the organization.
The first cases were reported from Togo from where the disese spread to Burkina Faso and Ghana. In fact, all the three countries had experienced a spinal meningitis epidemic during the first half of 1996.
According to a who official, the new epidemic has broken out because of draught and windstorms throughout the 'African meningitis belt' stretching from Ethiopia in the east of the continent to Senegal in the west. To tackle the malady menace, Togo has launched a vaccination campaign, while who has provided medicines, fuel and expertise to curb the outbreak.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.