Meningitis epidemics shift in sub-Saharan belt

Int J Infect Dis. 2018 Mar:68:79-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.01.020. Epub 2018 Mar 1.

Abstract

Meningococcal meningitis (MCM) poses a serious threat to public health in Africa. Epidemics appear irregularly every 5-12 years, especially in the regions across sub-Saharan 'meningitis belt'. This study investigated the long-term spatiotemporal dynamics of MCM. It appears that dominant epidemic outbreaks in the meningitis belt spread from west to east over the study period 2006-2016.

Keywords: Epidemics; Meningococcal meningitis; Spatio-temporal pattern; Sub-Saharan belt.

MeSH terms

  • Africa South of the Sahara / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Humans
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / epidemiology*
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / prevention & control
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Public Health
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis

Substances

  • Meningococcal Vaccines