Meningitis deaths creep upward in Burkina Faso

From Agence-France Presse:

A meningitis outbreak in Burkina Faso has infected thousands of people, killing hundreds, in the past two months, the health ministry told the AFP Thursday.

"We have identified 3,181 suspected cases of meningitis from January 1 until March 2, 2008, of whom 366 have died," said Doctor Ousmane Badolo, head of epidemiology surveillance at the ministry of health.

Fourteen districts are affected, of which five have declared a state of epidemic. Two have been downgraded following vaccination campaigns.

Badolo said Burkina Faso had enough vaccines to cover all infected districts although needs could change if the outbreak worsens.