Central African Republic : The Minister of Health announces a meningitis epidemic in the sub-prefecture of Kabo.

In a statement dated March 21, 2024, the acting Central African Minister for Health and Population announced the resurgence of the meningitis epidemic currently raging in the sub- prefecture of Kabo, in the Batangafo-Kabo health district. Eight cases have already been confirmed.

According to the statement, it all began on March 14, 2024 at Kabo secondary hospital in the Batangafo-Kabo health district, when eight cerebrospinal fluid samples taken from 8 meningitis suspects, six of them female and ranging in age from 7 to 50, were sent to a reference laboratory for analysis, On March 18, the laboratory confirmed the presence of Neisseria meninsitidis in one of the eight samples, namely that of the 33-year-old patient from the Kabo 3 district, attesting to an outbreak of meningococcal cerebrospinal meningitis.

To date, there have been eleven cases in the Kabo sub-prefecture. Faced with this situation, the government, through the Ministry of Health and Population, with the support of partners including WHO, MSF-Spain and African Relief, has already taken appropriate measures to respond promptly and effectively to this epidemic. These include: supplying the Kabo hospital with drugs and other inputs for the free treatment of patients; reinforcing surveillance through active case-finding in the community; sensitizing the population to refer suspects to hospital; and forwarding samples to the Bangui Pasteur Institute for confirmation. The epidemic is confined to the town of Kabo, notably in the Kpetene, Kongalistos 1 and 2, Kinziki and Kabo 1 and 3 districts.

In her circular, the Minister urges the Central African people to avoid handling the bodies of deceased persons with their bare hands; to go as quickly as possible to the nearest health center as soon as the first symptoms of the disease appear, in particular: acute fever accompanied by headache, stiff neck in adults and bulging fontanel associated with fever in infants; report all cases of fever, stiff neck and bulging fontanel in children to health workers for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

In 70 to 80% of cases, it is viral in origin, and bacterial in 20 to 25% of cases. It may also be fungal or parasitic in origin. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, stiff neck, convulsions, neurological disorders and bulging fontanelle in infants. The causative agents are meningococcus A C, W135 or x, pneumococcus and hormophelus inflenzoe. The incubation period is 2 to 10 days, with humans the main target. The disease is transmitted by air. It therefore invites the population to be more vigilant, and reassures them of the Central African government’s availability to answer any questions relating to this epidemic.

Lyse davina Nguilili