This study, published in PLoS Medicine, provides a clear, quantitative demonstration of the connections that exist between major meningococcal meningitis (MCM) epidemics and regional climate variability in Africa. This statistically robust explanation of the MCM dynamics enables the development of an Early Warning Index for meningitis epidemic onset in West Africa. The development of such an index will help national and international public health institutions and policymakers to better control MCM disease within the African Meningitis Belt.

Author(s): Sultan B, Labadi K, Guégan JF, Janicot S

Published: 2005

Resource types: Peer-reviewed journal

Diseases: Meningococcus

Topics: Disease burden and surveillance; Disease/vaccine specific information

Regions: Africa