Press Centre
News Note
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.
***
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
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