Meningococcal meningitis
Epidemics of meningococcal meningitis: Every year, bacterial meningitis epidemics affect more than 400 million people living in the 21 countries of the "African meningitis belt" (from Senegal to Ethiopia). In this area over 800 000 cases were reported in the last 15 years (1996–2010). Of these cases, 10% resulted in deaths, with another 10–20% developing neurological sequelae. During the 2010 epidemic season (weeks 1–26) 22 831 cases were recorded in 14 countries under enhanced surveillance. Among these 22 831 cases there were 2415 deaths, giving a case-fatality ratio (CFR) of 10.6%. The highest number of cases were reported by Burkina Faso (6145 including 863 deaths) followed by Nigeria (4699 cases including 322 deaths) and Chad (3058 cases including 231 deaths).