| 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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