A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
Niger is a West African country located in the heart of the African meningitis belt, which stretches from Senegal to Djibouti. The hot and dry climate is favorable to the outbreak of meningitis epidemics generally between November and May.
From 31 December 2014 meningitis cases have been recorded countrywide at a slow rate; however since the beginning of April 2015, suspected cases have increased. As of 24 April 2015, the number of suspected cases had reached 1.456, including 145 deaths (lethality rate of 9.9%), with the worst affected areas including Niamey I, Niamey II, Niamey III from Niamye and Doutchi, Gaya from Dosso districts. On 21 April, it was announced that schools in Niamey would be temporarily closed in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic, as the majority of cases reported have occurred in children under the age of 15 years old – please refer to “Table 1: Percentage of the meningitis affected people by age”.
The principal bacteria parentage detected in the laboratory are: Neisseria meningitides (Nm); 40%, Nm C (33.85%) and Streptococcus pneumonia (23.08%), which is a strain not previously experienced in the country; and therefore not responding to existing vaccines. On 21 April 2015, the Prime Minister declared that there is a need of 1.2 million of new vaccine doses, however at present only 50% of what is required is available, and the Government of Niger (GoN) has made appeals to its international partners to contribute to ensuring that there is 100% coverage.
In parallel, a measles epidemic has also been confirmed in region of the north of the country, with Agadez, Maradi and Zinder worst affected. As of 25 April 25,, a total of 3,370 suspected cases and six deaths have been reported across 12 health districts; however most efforts are focusing on the response to the meningitis situation given the insufficient vaccines available in the country. The prevailing malnutrition specially in children under 5 years old only aggravates the situation.
