afrol News, 21 March - The government of Burkina Faso has confirmed that from 1 January to 11 March, a meningitis outbreak in the country has resulted to the death of 583 people.

A total of 7,333 suspected cases have been reported in 22 districts in the capital, Ouagadougou, where cerebrospinal fluid specimens have tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A by latex test.

The Burkinabe government Health Ministry is gearing up efforts to counter the epidemic through vaccination campaign in six districts. The first phase of the campaign, which targets over a million people in the affected districts, has been completed.

The International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision for Epidemic Meningitis provided bivalent vaccines for the campaign. The body has also declared its readiness to sponsor further 3,350,000 vaccination campaign doses in 13 epidemic districts. Half of the doses have been shipped and are expected to arrive in the country this week.

The Burkinabe government is further receiving technical and financial support from international organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Despite the help, the country still urgently needs over one million US dollars to embark on full campaign, according to Ouagadougou authorities.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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