NIAMEY
(Reuters) - At least 606 cases of meningitis were recorded in Niger
in January and 50 people have died from the infection, according
to official figures published on Tuesday.
In December
there were 42 deaths among the 342 new cases reported to the government's
early warning system for catastrophes.
Meningitis
is an inflammation, caused by bacteria or viruses, of the tissues
which cover the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to death or
permanent brain damage if it is not recognized and treated in
time.
The disease
is a seasonal problem in the West African state, with cases tending
to increase during the dry season in the early months of the year.
Last year
1,065 people died from meningitis and there were 14,374 reported
cases.
The worst
year in recent times was 1995 with around 43,000 cases recorded
and over 3,800 deaths.
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