Aid groups say tens of thousands of Africans could die from new strain.

2002 DEC 4 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Aid agencies have launched an urgent appeal for EUR10 million (US$10 million) to control a new strain of meningitis that was initially reported among pilgrims to Mecca and now threatens a large swathe of Africa.

The World Health Organization, U.N. Children's Fund, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and the International Red Cross warned that, without funds for the vaccine, "thousands of people will certainly die unnecessarily." They said they were holding talks with manufacturers to try to bring down the cost of the life-saving shots.

Meningitis is a bacterial infection of membranes around the brain and spinal cord that is spread through close contact with an infected person. About half of those who become infected but do not receive treatment die, and the rest are often left with permanent disability. Children are most at risk.

Africa's "meningitis belt" stretches from Ethiopia to Senegal. In the last meningitis season, there were 33,000 cases and 2500 deaths, of which 1500 were in Burkino Faso.

The most serious epidemics usually occur every 6-8 years. The largest outbreak in history was in 1996, when 200,000 people - most of them children - were infected and 20,000 died.

"We are now entering a window where we can expect a big one. We could well have a large epidemic in front of us," said WHO's Guenael Rodier. The next meningitis season is expected early next year.

Of particular concern to health experts is the emergence of a new strain - W135 - which was found 2 years ago in Saudi Arabia and was spread to other countries by Muslims returning from the annual Hajj pilgrimage. ...