Learn More About Menigitis

Meningitis is a contagious and potentially fatal infection of the brain membrane. Several bacteria cause meningitis but meningoccocus (strain A) is the only one that causes epidemics. It is highly contagious and is transmitted through the air on drops of saliva. Epidemics occur during dry seasons, when the throat's mucous membranes are more irritated, thus allowing the meningococcus to penetrate the body. Without treatment, bacterial meningitis can kill up to 50 percent of people who present clinical symptoms of the disease. Most deaths occur within 48 hours of showing symptoms such as sudden, intense headaches and nausea.

Take a look at the following reports about our recent meningitis response to see real MSF teams in action.


Footage from the Field

Reports From Past Responces

  • April 29, 2009

    Nigeria: Meningitis Continues to Take a Toll

    This year's meningitis outbreak in northern Nigeria has already led to the deaths of over 1,500 people. Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), in cooperation with the Nigerian Ministry of Health, is carrying out a mass vaccination campaign as well as undertaking the very important task of treating the patients who are suffering from the disease.

  • April 29, 2009

    West Africa Hit By Worst Meningitis Epidemic in Years

    More than 1,900 people affected by meningitis have died since the beginning of this year in an area of sub-Saharan Africa known as the meningitis belt. In Nigeria, Niger and Chad alone, MSF medical teams have treated more than 56,000 sick patients. The organization is currently vaccinating a total population of more than seven million in the three countries, the biggest vaccination campaign MSF has ever carried out.

  • April 17, 2009

    Niger: Treating Meningitis Patients in the Midst of a Vaccination Campaign

    "It's true that vaccinations stop the epidemic from spreading, but without emergency medical treatment for patients with meningitis, the number of lives lost would be catastrophic," says MSF doctor Nico Heijenberg.

  • April 01, 2009

    MSF to Begin Meningitis Vaccination Campaign in West Africa

    Meningitis, a disease responsible for thousands of deaths in Africa, is currently spreading in several West African countries. While ensuring quick access to treatment for those already infected, MSF is also starting mass vaccination campaigns in Nigeria and Niger and is closely following the situation in other countries in the region. MSF is planning to vaccinate between 4 million and 5 million people against meningitis.

  • View More Meningitis Info