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BURKINA FASO: Meningitis epidemics in vaccinated areas

People vaccinated against meningitis are supposed to have protection for three years but health officials have announced that meningitis epidemics have occurred in several areas where populations had recently been immunized. “[Health researchers] are currently collecting information so as to identify the factors explaining the recurrence of the epidemic in districts where populations have been vaccinated”, Ousmane Badolo, head of the epidemiologic surveillance department at the ministry of...

BURKINA FASO: Meningitis infections spreading

Epidemic levels of the bacterial infection meningitis have now reached two districts in Burkina Faso, Gaoua in the southwest, 30 km from the Ghana border, and Mandogara, just 20 km from the Cote d’Ivoire border, making it likely the epidemic in Burkina Faso is being boosted by infected people entering from neighbouring countries, experts warn. “Now we are faced with a problem. If we vaccinate the populations in Burkina we may have to also vaccinate unexpected populations from across the...

BURKINA FASO: Cancer and respiratory diseases worsening

A World Bank funded study shows that increased air pollution caused by motorbikes and dust is causing some 200 new cancer cases in the Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou, every year. Increased levels of benzene in the atmosphere are the primary cause of the disease, according to a government report, “Air Quality in Ouagadougou”. Benzene is a cancerous substance contained in motorcycle fuel, which is a mix of lubricant and petrol. “The situation is alarming regarding the high concentration of...

BURKINA FASO: Girl's death prompts search for new strategies to fight FGM

The death of a 14-year-old girl from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has sparked shock and anger in Burkina Faso, which has been seen as far ahead of other African countries in the fight against the practice. “Sorrowful and shocking" is how Aïna Ouédraogo, permanent secretary of the National Committee for the Fight against Excision (CNLPE), described the girl's death. The teenager was one of 15 girls – aged 4 to 14 – who were circumcised the week of 17 September in the rural town of...