Authors:
Address: Agence de Médecine Préventive, Paris, France.
Journal:

Publication:
Free Text: Definition and characterization of localised meningitis epidemics in Burkina Faso: a longitudinal retrospective study.

abstract

BACKGROUND:

The epidemiology of meningococcal meningitis in the African meningitis belt is characterised by seasonality, localised epidemics and epidemic waves. To facilitate research and surveillance, we aimed to develop a Definition for localised epidemics to be used in real-time surveillance based on weekly case reports at the health centre level.

METHODS:

We used national routine surveillance data on suspected meningitis from January 2004 to December 2008 in six health districts in western and central Burkina Faso. We evaluated eight thresholds composed of weekly incidence rates at health centre level for their performance in predicting annual incidences of 0.4%and 0.8% in health centre areas. The eventually chosen definition was used to describe the spatiotemporal epidemiology and size of localised meningitis epidemics during the included district years.

RESULTS:

Among eight weekly thresholds evaluated, a weekly incidence rate of 75 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during at least two consecutive weeks with at least 5 cases per week had 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity for predicting an annual incidence of at least 0.8% in health centres. Using this definition, localised epidemics were identified in all but one years during 2004-2008, concerned less than 10% of the districts' population and often were geographically dispersed. Where sufficient laboratory data were available, localised epidemics were exclusively due to meningococci.

CONCLUSIONS:

This definition of localised epidemics a the health centre level will be useful for risk factor and modelling studies to understand the meningitis belt phenomenon and help documenting vaccine impact against epidemic meningitis where no widespread laboratory surveillance exists for quantifying disease reduction after vaccination.

Related Articles
Detection of meningitis epidemics in Africa: a population-based analysis.
Int J Epidemiol. 1992
Detection of meningitis epidemics in Africa: a population-based analysis.
Moore PS, Plikaytis BD, Bolan GA, Oxtoby MJ, Yada A, Zoubga A, Reingold AL, Broome CV. Int J Epidemiol. 1992 Feb; 21(1):155-62.
Emergence of epidemic Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X meningitis in Togo and Burkina Faso.
PLoS One. 2011
Emergence of epidemic Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X meningitis in Togo and Burkina Faso.
Delrieu I, Yaro S, Tamekloé TA, Njanpop-Lafourcade BM, Tall H, Jaillard P, Ouedraogo MS, Badziklou K, Sanou O, Drabo A, et al. PLoS One. 2011; 6(5):e19513. Epub 2011 May 20.
Review Timely detection of meningococcal meningitis epidemics in Africa.
Lancet. 2001
Review Timely detection of meningococcal meningitis epidemics in Africa.
Lewis R, Nathan N, Diarra L, Belanger F, Paquet C. Lancet. 2001 Jul 28; 358(9278):287-93.
[An epidemic of meningococcal meningitis in the region of Savanes in Togo in 1997: research and control strategies].
Sante. 1997
[An epidemic of meningococcal meningitis in the region of Savanes in Togo in 1997: research and control strategies].
Aplogan A, Batchassi E, Yakoua Y, Croisier A, Aleki A, Schlumberger M, Molina S, Sidatt M, Kaninda AV. Sante. 1997 Nov-Dec; 7(6):384-90.
Review [Clonal expansion of Neisseria meningitidis W135. Epidemiological implications for the African meningitis belt].
Bull Soc Pathol Exot. 2002
Review [Clonal expansion of Neisseria meningitidis W135. Epidemiological implications for the African meningitis belt].
du Châtelet IP, Alonso JM, Taha MK. Bull Soc Pathol Exot. 2002 Dec; 95(5):323-4; discussion 324-5.

To top • Home

---

Show map | Diseases | Vaccination | Chronic disease | Medicine | Pregnancy | Heat & Sunburn | Cold | Security | Useful tips | Faq | News

TraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster