WHO update on Meningococcal disease in Central African Republic

As of 31 March 2004, WHO has received reports of 43 cases and 7 deaths in the Central African Republic.

Two districts, Nana Boguila (39 cases, 5 deaths) and Zere (4 cases, 2 deaths) have attack rates above the epidemic threshold.

The Ministry of Health is implementing measures to control the outbreak and a vaccination campaign is being planned for the districts.

Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A has been laboratory confirmed in 2 samples in the Nana Bougila district by the Pasteur Institut.

WHO , Médecins sans Frontières (MSF- Spain) and the local Red Cross are supporting the Ministry of Health in responding to the outbreak.