Africa: Update on alerts and epidemics…

1. Epidemics:

1.1. Nigeria:

In S8/2024 state GumbyLGA (district) of Navada The epidemic threshold has been crossed with an attack rate (AT) of 27.5 cases per 100,000 population. In S9/2024, this government area returned to the alert phase with a rate of 8.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

In S9/2024 state BauchiLGA (district) of Mosque The epidemic threshold has been crossed with an attack rate (AT) of 13.5 cases per 100,000 population.

1.2. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): In S8/2024 health area Walikili In a governorate North Kivu In the epidemic phase.

2. Alerts:

2.1. Boys: In the ninth half of 2024, three regions exceeded the alert threshold:

2.2. Ghana:

Several areas in Upper Western Region You have exceeded the alert threshold

• In S8/2024 area Oh the West remained at the alert threshold (incidence rate of 4.8 cases per 100,000 population);
• In S8/2024 and S9/2024 area random remained at the alert threshold (incidence rate of 5.5 cases per 100,000 population),
• In the ninth half of 2024, two additional regions exceeded the alert threshold: Jirappa (TA 6.7 cases per 100,000 population) and Call me Caleo (TA 6.1 cases per 100,000 population).

In S8/2024 in the savannah region Central Gonja The alert threshold has been exceeded (technical ratio 3.5 cases per 100,000 population).

In S9/2024 area Ahavoregion Tano South The alert threshold has been exceeded (incidence rate of 3.1 cases per 100,000 population).

In S9/2024 area Nord Foundation region Cheriboni Alert threshold exceeded (incidence rate of 4.3 cases per 100,000 population)

2.3. Guinea: In S8/2024 in the Conakry region, constituency Ratoma It remains at the alert threshold (technical assessment of 5 cases per 100,000 population).

2.4. Niger: In S8/2024, in the Niamey region, the regions of Niamey I (TA 3.9 cases per 100,000 population) and Niamey III (TA 3.8 cases per 100,000 population increasing to 6.7 in S9/2024) exceeded the alert threshold.

2.5. Central African Republic : In S9/2024, in Zone 6, the Kempe-Satemaa region exceeded the alert threshold (TA 3.4 cases per 1,000,000 inhabitants).

2.6. Democratic Republic of the Congo:

• In S8/2024 in the province Hot ole The Paua Health District has exceeded the alert threshold (expected percentage of 3.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).
• In S9/2024 in the province Pass Oily The Licati Health District has exceeded the alert threshold (technical ratio 4.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).

2.7. Senegal: In S8/2024 area Dakarthe central Dakar region exceeded the alert threshold (technical ratio 3.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).

2.8. South Sudan: In S9/2024 area Northern Bahr el Ghazalthe Aweil Center region exceeded the alert threshold (TA 7.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).

3. Laboratory data:

As of S9/2024, twelve (12) countries have exchanged laboratory data. Of the 2,097 samples received in national laboratories, the results of 453 samples were positive. The main pathogens identified were: Meningococcus type C (53.2%), Pneumococci (28.9%), Meningococcus type W (8.2%), Haemophilus influenzae Non-B (4.2%), other pathogens (2%), Haemophilus influenzae B (2.9%) and meningococcal type X (0.7%).

Recommendations for travelers:

Vaccination against invasive meningococcal infection (IIM) is recommended for people:

• Travel to an endemic area of ​​IIM A, C, W, and Y, in particular the “meningitis belt” of sub-Saharan Africa: the savannah and Sahel regions, from west to east, and from Senegal to Ethiopia, at the time of the dry season, conducive to meningococcal transmission (usually in winter and spring) or in any other area where the epidemic occurs, under conditions of close and prolonged contact with the local population: with the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine A, C, W, Y;
• Traveling to an endemic area in IIM A, C, Y or W for activity in the health sector or with refugees, whatever the season: with a quadrivalent vaccine against meningococcal A, C, W and Y.

Source: Weekly Feedback Bulletin on Spinal Meningitis – WHO African Office (Q8/2024, Q9/2024)