Journal article
Emergence of epidemic Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C in Niger, 2015: an analysis of national surveillance data.
BACKGROUND:
To combat Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A epidemics in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa, a meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine (MACV) has been progressively rolled out since 2010. We report the first meningitis epidemic in Niger since the nationwide introduction of MACV.
METHODS:
We compiled and analysed nationwide case-based meningitis surveillance data in Niger. Cases were confirmed by culture or direct real-time PCR, or both, of cerebrospinal fluid specimens, and whole-genome sequencing was used to characterise isolates. Information on vaccination campaigns was collected by the Niger Ministry of Health and WHO.
FINDINGS:
From Jan 1 to June 30, 2015, 9367 suspected meningitis cases and 549 deaths were reported in Niger. Among 4301 cerebrospinal fluid specimens tested, 1603 (37·3%) were positive for a bacterial pathogen, including 1147 (71·5%) that were positive for N meningitidis serogroup C (NmC). Whole-genome sequencing of 77 NmC isolates revealed the st
Authors
- Ashley Tate
- Assimawe Pana
- Bassira Issaka
- Clement Lingani
- Didier Mounkoro
- Fati Sidikou
- Flavien Ake
- Goumbi Kadade
- Ibrahim Alkassoum
- Innocent Nzeyimana
- Issaka Seidou
- Jean Paul Moulia-Pelat
- Jibir Zanguina
- Maman Zaneidou
- Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Olivier Ronveaux
- Oubote Abodji
- Ricardo Obama
- Ryan Novak
- Sani Ousmane
- Souleymane Sakande
- Stephanie Schwartz
- Xin Wang
Languages
- English
Publication year
2016
Journal
Lancet Infectious Diseases
Volume
PMID: 27567107
Type
Journal article
Categories
- Data
Diseases
- Meningococcal meningitis
Tags
- Disease surveillance
- Immunization information systems