WHO Declares Meningitis Outbreak In Congo DR As 129 Died From Disease

• There is meningitis outbreak in DCR, says WHO.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), has declared a deadly meningitis outbreak in a northeastern province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

This development emerged as no less than 129 people died from the disease.

In a statement disclosing the outbreak, WHO said a total of 261 suspected cases have been recorded so far, amounting to a “high case fatality ratio of 50 percent.

“Confirmatory tests carried out by the Institut Pasteur in Paris detected Neisseria meningitidis -– one of the most frequent types of bacterial meningitis with the potential to cause large epidemics.”

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WHO, however, said it is supporting health authorities in the DRC to deploy an initial emergency response team, after tests carried out by the Institut Pasteur in Paris, detected Neisseria meningitis.

It is one of the most frequent strains of the bacterial form of the disease, with a potential to cause large epidemics, WHO explained, saying more than 100 patients were currently receiving treatment at home and in health centres in Banalia, the community affected by the outbreak.

Meningitis is an infection of the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord, transmitted through respiratory droplets or throat secretions from those infected.

The disease is potentially fatal and without treatment can cause neurological damage, especially deafness and mental retardation among young children.

Six strains of the N. meningitis germ are notorious for causing epidemics. However, the early symptoms of the disease — headaches and fever — can be difficult to spot as they are similar to other common ailments.

Following the confirmation of Meningitis outbreak in DCR, health officials in the country have deployed an emergency team to Banalia, in Tshopo province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

“We are moving fast, delivering medicines and deploying experts to support the government’s efforts to bring the outbreak under control in the shortest possible time,” said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa.

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