Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kisangani (Agenzia Fides) – A meningitis outbreak has killed more than a dozen students from the same school is spreading throughout the city of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo. The viral form of meningitis C, recently confirmed in the country, has hit at least a hundred people in the port city on the River Congo. Since December 6, according to health professionals and the radio service of the United Nations in Kisangani, 17 people have died due to viral infection, all students of the local Technical Institute Maikazo. Fortunately, another 40 cases were able to be treated. The health ministry has reported that the government is engaged in the distribution of vaccines, but it has alerted the price could be unreachable.
In the city of Kisangani, to address the crisis, religious leaders, local government authorities and hospitals, have met and have launched an emergency protocol for the distribution of medicines. The first fatalities were recorded in the Technical Institute Maikazo at the end of November. Nine students died after being hospitalized at the local hospital. The doctors had declared that all the patients showed the symptoms of meningitis, but no confirmation was made. A tenth student died a week later, and the school was closed in a preventive measure. Kisangani, one of the largest cities of the Congo, is in the middle of the "African Meningitis Belt." During the dry season, the virus affects a hundred more people than the global average of 3 per 100,000. According to the World Health Organization, an effective vaccine is being prepared, but the virus is a serious threat for the poorer and more heavily populated areas like Kisangani. An outbreak of meningitis in early 2009, along the "belt area" has infected about 25,000 and killed more than 1,500. (AP) (11/12/2009 Agenzia Fides)
