Meningitis epidemic break out in South Sudan

Feb 5, 2007 (NAIROBI) — A fresh outbreak of meningitis has hit the southern Sudan state of Western Equatoria as authorities in another state, Central Equatoria, imposed measures to contain its spread, the Sudan Radio Service (SRS) reported on 5 February.

In Mundri East County of Western Equatoria, the commissioner, Wilson Api, confirmed the new cases, saying four people had been admitted to a hospital in Lui town. The county experienced its first outbreak last month, which was thought to have been contained, but last week new cases were reported in the town.

The deputy governor of Western Equatoria, Joseph Ngere, said 49 people have so far died of the disease.

In Central Equatoria, authorities in Kajokeji County have banned public gatherings to contain the spread of the disease. The county’s commissioner, Maj Oliver Mule, said health authorities had also started a mass vaccination campaign against the disease.

Meningitis has been reported in several parts of southern Sudan and the Koboko district in northern Uganda.

(SRS)