Discovering Africa's meningitis belt

The African meningitis belt is a geographical area stretching from the west to the east of the continent, below the Sahara. It is particularly vulnerable to epidemics of meningitis. A serious bacterial infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The term ‘belt’ reflects the extent of this zone, which stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia and includes 26 countries.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the meningitis belt covers around ten countries, including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Sudan and Senegal. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), these countries have a high incidence of meningitis, with epidemics occurring mainly during the dry season, between December and June. 

This period is particularly critical because of the Harmattan, a strong dust-laden wind that blows across the region. It is accompanied by high temperatures and low humidity, creating ideal conditions for the spread of infection.

Recurrent epidemics of meningitis in the African belt are often caused by serogroups other than serogroup A, such as serogroups C and W, which continue to represent a major threat to public health.
Each epidemic season wreaks havoc on local populations, overwhelming already fragile healthcare systems. Although significant progress has been made in the fight against meningitis, thanks in particular to the introduction of the MenAfriVac vaccine, the fight remains a challenge.

To eradicate this disease, an ongoing commitment is needed, in particular to : 

Improve vaccination coverage.
Strengthen the management of epidemics caused by serogroups other than A.
Invest in resilient health systems to better cope with health crises.
The African meningitis belt remains a public health priority in sub-Saharan Africa.