Meningitis fears in Namibia
2004-11-02 09:02
Johannesburg - A meningitis epidemic in Namibia's far northern district of Rundu is possible, after health authorities reported 19 confirmed cases in the last two months.
Health news service Medinfo said on Monday: "To curb the further spread of the disease, health officials began vaccinating children between the ages of 18 months and 20-years-old in mid-October."
"Outbreaks of meningitis in northern Namibia are a fairly regular occurrence," commented Andrew Jamieson, medical director of SAA-Netcare Travel Clinics.
"Although the internal vaccination campaign will no doubt curb the extent of the outbreak, it is advisable for anyone travelling to the Caprivi or Cunene areas during the year-end holidays to be vaccinated against meningitis before leaving home."
- SAPA