Meningitis Campaign in Ethiopia
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Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
http://www.ifrc.org
Eight million threatened by meningitis epidemic in Ethiopia
8 March 2001
With some 8.4 million people threatened with a deadly epidemic of
meningococcal meningitis - the Ethiopian Red Cross has mobilized
thousands of volunteers to begin a major social mobilization campaign
on the disease, and to make sure those at risk are vaccinated. "There
is serious cause for alarm about the spread of this epidemic. While
to date there have been 1,700 cases reported and 140 deaths con-
firmed, this is probably a serious under-estimate of the reality on
the ground. Ethiopian Ministry of Health figures that 8.4 million
people could be at risk are very realistic. It is vital that we act
now," said Dr. Bradley Hersh, a senior medical epidemiologist with
the International Federation. The group most at risk is between the
age of two and thirty years old.
The International Federation launched an appeal on March 7 for one
million Swiss francs to vaccinate at least 1.5 million people against
the disease, which leads to death in 50% to 80% of cases unless
treated immediately. Meningitis treatment is very effective if cases
are treated early. "Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection
which attacks the central nervous system resulting in a high mortal-
ity rate. This mortality rate can be reduced to between 8% to 15% if
the infection is treated in a timely manner. Prevention through vac-
cination is the best answer," said Dr. Hersh. Funds raised will be
used to purchase 1.5 million doses of vaccines as well as syringes,
needles and antibiotics. The main thrust of the Red Cross campaign
will be in the North Shoa, West Gojam and Oromia zones in the Amhara
region, where three million people are at risk Currently, 9 of the
country's 11 regions are affected.
Meningitis epidemics tend to occur in eight- to twelve-year cycles;
in 1989, some 46,000 cases were reported in Ethiopia, with more than
2,000 deaths. The International Federation and the Ethiopian Red
Cross are working with WHO, UNICEF and MSF - among other partners -
to ensure good vaccination coverage and appropriate medical treatment
for those affected. The Federation has released 200,000 Swiss francs
from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to allow the campaign to get
underway immediately, including the purchase of vaccines and antibi-
otics. "Time is of the essence, if we want to avoid thousands of
death from a disease that is preventable and can be treated very ef-
fectively if diagnosed early," stresses Dr. Hersh. Often, major epi-
demics occur in Ethiopia two to three years after large outbreaks in
Sudan - in 1999, some 33,000 cases of meningitis were reported and
more than 2,500 people died in Sudan.
--
Holly Ladd
SatelLife, Inc.
mailto:hladd@usa.healthnet.org
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