Request for extend timeframe by six weeks (New end date: 30 June 2015); and an additional allocation of CHF 102,770 to expand the activities planned into eight new districts, following the escalation of the epidemic in these areas. An additional 71,000 beneficiaries (10,000 households) will be reached through meningitis prevention and control activities (Total: 281,000 people / 40,000 households).
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 favourable 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 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 with the worst affected areas including Dosso, Doutchi, Gaya, Niamey I, Niamey II and Niamey III districts. In parallel, a measles epidemic was also confirmed in regions in the north of the country, with Agadez, Maradi and Zinder worst affected.
As of 25 April 2015, the number of suspected cases had reached 3,370 suspected cases with six deaths. Initial laboratory results released indicated that the principal bacteria parentage detected in the laboratory were: Neisseria meningitides (Nm) W; 40%, Nm C (33.85%) and Streptococcus pneumonia (23.08%); the W strain not being the one previously experienced in the country; and not responding to existing vaccines. However, the trend has changed over time, 13, out of 1,296 samples analysed by CERMES between 29 December and 13 April, 45.6% (534) were positive. The main germs involved are: Neisseria meningitides (Nm) C: 71.6%, Nm W: 15% and Streptococcus pneumonia: 8.6%. On 21 April 2015, the Prime Minister declared a need of 1.2 million of new vaccine (trivalent A, C, W) doses for mass vaccination campaigns in the affected districts (Niamey, Doutchi, Gaya). However few vaccines were available and the Government of Niger (GoN) has made appeals to its international partners to contribute to ensuring that there is 100 per cent coverage.
On 2 May 2015, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) released CHF 100,428 from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Red Cross Society of Niger (NRCS) respond to the needs of the affected population. The DREF operation was intended to support 210,000 people (30,000 households) in Dosso and Niamey (meningitis response), and Agadez and Zinder (measles response), over a period of six weeks. As of 20 May 2015, it is estimated that 60 per cent of the activities planned have been completed, and progress made in accordance with the agreed Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) in the following areas:
Refresher training of 100 volunteers on the prevention and control of measles (as well as on surveillance and referral, the use of SMS, nutritional screening techniques and hygiene promotion); and mobilization to carry out awareness raising / sensitization campaigns (using a door to door strategy), which have reached 99,675 people (10,313 households) at risk, as well as deployment to treatment centres. In addition, two radio stations have been contracted to broadcast awareness messages on meningitis three times per day for a period of one month.
Training of 10 supervisors to coordinate the volunteers’ activities in the communities.
As of 16 May 2015, the number of suspected meningitis cases has reached 6,609, including 443 deaths (lethality rate of 6.7%); and initially limited to three districts in Niamey (Niamey I, Niamey II, Niamey III) and two districts in Dosso region (Doutchi, Gaya) the epidemic has spread to others regions and districts of the country. Please refer to “Needs analysis and scenario planning” section for further information. In regards to the measles outbreak, cases have not spread beyond the three regions above and the indications are a reducing caseload, which has been attributed to selective vaccinations campaigns carried out in the districts of Agadez and Zinder.
This Operations Update is requesting to extend the timeframe by six weeks; and an additional allocation of CHF to 102,770 expand the activities planned into eight additional districts (10 in total: (Doutchi, Fillingué Gaya, Kollo, Ouallam Niamey I, II III, IV, and V) with awareness raising / sensitization campaigns, which will include the training of additional volunteers and supervisors; as well as preparedness for response in 10 other districts that have not been affected, but are at risk. Following the stabilization of the measles epidemic, activities planned in Agadez and Zinder will be cancelled. Nonetheless, an additional 71,000 people (10,000 households) will be reached (In total: 281,000 people / 40,000 households) with meningitis prevention and control activities. The DREF operation will end on 30 June 2015, and a final report will be made available on 30 September 2015 (Three months after the end of the DREF operation).
The major donors and partners of the DREF include the Red Cross Societies and governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the USA, as well as DG ECHO, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) the Medtronic, Zurich and Coca Cola Foundations and other corporate and private donors. The IFRC, on behalf of the Red Cross Society of Niger would like to extend many thanks to all partners for their generous contributions.
