The meningitis outbreak returns to Niger: Concern, efforts, challenges, and recommendations

Meningitis, a disease that commonly manifests in African meningitis belt, continues to be a public health problem as it is a fatal disease that leave survivors with long‐term effects. Most cases of meningitis are due to bacterial and viral infection, although parasites, fungus, cancer, drugs, and immune disorders can rarely cause meningitis. Stiff neck, high temperature, light sensitivity, disorientation, headaches, and vomiting are the most typical symptoms of meningitis. Niger, being in African meningitis belt, has been affected by many meningitis outbreaks. Since 2015, a total of 20,789 cases and 1369 fatalities (CFR 6.6%) have been documented in Niger. In contrast to earlier seasons, the current outbreak of meningitis in Niger exhibits both an increase in the number of cases and a rise in the growth rate. A total of 559 cases of meningitis, including 18 fatalities (overall CFR 3.2%), were reported in the Zinder Region, southeast of Niger, from 1 November 2022 to 27 January 2023, compared to 231 cases reported from 1 November 2021 to 31 January 2022. In the current outbreak, the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NmC) is responsible for the majority of laboratory confirmed cases (104/111; 93.7%). To organize the response to the outbreak, a global team of WHO and other partners, including MSF and UNICEF, has been sent to Niger. Even though there are many challenges in battle against meningitis in Niger, immunization, antibiotics administration and strong disease surveillance are recommended techniques to cope with the current meningitis outbreak in Niger.