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2 million people still at risk of meningitis in Rwanda
Kigali, 10 September 2002 - The outbreak of meningitis in Rwanda continues to threaten the lives of some 2 million people, and fears are the disease may spread close to Kigali, the capital, endangering another one million people. Although the situation is improving in some areas, thanks to the vaccination programme supported by UNICEF and other partners, outbreaks have occurred in new areas, stretching the available resources to their limit.
The situation has prompted the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organization and Medecin Sans Frontiere, to issue an appeal for funds to support a mass vaccination programme. One million US dollars is required for the purchase of vaccines and injection material, to vaccinate the 2 million people most at risk. A further one million dollars is required to cover areas of the country which are vulnerable to the spread of the disease from the neighbouring epidemic areas.
Speaking after attending the meeting with the Minister of Health to launch the appeal, the UNICEF Representative, Mr. Theophane Nikyema, commented: "The spread of the disease to Kigali City would be potentially catastrophic. UNICEF will continue to work closely with the Government of Rwanda and our partners in WHO and MSF to contain this disease outbreak. We desperately need funding in order to quickly bring in the vaccines necessary to protect people from meningitis."
UNICEF has already provided 665,000 doses of vaccine. A further 250,000 doses arrived in Kigali this morning.
Yesterday, the Italian government generously contributed $243,000 to help in purchasing the required vaccines. DFID and USAID have also contributed funds towards these procurements. Vaccines have also been procured by the Government, WHO and MSF. The organisations are working together in the field to improve the monitoring of the spread of the disease, the treatment of those taken ill and to get the people vaccinated quickly.
To-date there have been 683 cases of meningococcal meningitis confirmed, with 83 deaths.
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For more information, please contact:
Paul Edwards (Project Officer) or Gerry Dyer (Programme Co-ordinator) UNICEF Kigali (250) 573033 or 08305020 (mobile)
Wivina Belmonte, Communication Section, UNICEF Geneva, (41) 22 909 5509, Mobile: (41) 79 204 2345, Email:wbelmonte@unicef.org
