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Thousands of children at risk as meningitis epidemic rapidly spreads through Togo

by Plan UK | Plan UK
Friday, 26 February 2016 15:43 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

A meningitis epidemic continues to spread through Togo, with children being most at risk from the disease.

Plan International is responding to the outbreak in Togo, which has already caused over fifty deaths.  As of February 2016, five districts are in epidemic phase, with three more on alert.

The epidemic is spreading rapidly, with new cases reported every week in Togo. The numbers of cases and subsequent deaths have quadrupled within the last month. Several districts of neighbouring Ghana have also been placed under epidemic and alert phases.

It is children who are most at risk of meningitis. Alarmingly, 64% of all meningitis cases in the area are affecting children under the age of 15.

Meningitis disease is an infection of the meninges, the membrane covering the brain and the spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis is very serious because its onset is rapid and the infection is associated with a significant risk of death*.

Meningitis is a highly contagious, deadly disease and is treatable given enough time.

Plan International has launched an emergency health response to this epidemic, and is working with local health authorities to prevent, diagnose and treat meningitis. Plan International is supporting the Government of Togo with a mass vaccination campaign. Over 25000 people in the most vulnerable districts will be vaccinated.  

Plan is also working with communities and public health authorities to run awareness projects to educate people on the causes, symptoms and treatment of meningitis.

The Country Director for Plan Togo, Mohamed Bah says: “It is imperative that we work to stop the spread of meningitis where we can, catching cases early and educating communities on preventative measures to avoid this epidemic from spreading further.

“This epidemic is disproportionately affecting young children, and the high fatality rate of this is alarming.

“Plan urgently requires funding to coordinate efforts to stop the further spread of meningitis.”

For more information on Plan’s work or to make a donation call 0800 526 848 or visit www.plan-uk.org

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