The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching meningitis prevention activities in 14 countries in Africa to get ready for what could be one of the worst meningitis epidemics in a decade. The move came as a reaction to the warning given by the World Health Organization on October 9.

The first indications of an epidemic could appear as early as February-March 2008. Nearly one million Swiss francs (US$ 867 000 / € 602 000) will be invested in the four-month plan which includes training approximately 25,000 volunteers involved in community-based first aid and organizing education and awareness campaigns among communities.

"There is an urgent need to educate potentially affected communities so that they are prepared in case of an outbreak of meningitis," says Encho Gospodinov, Director of the International Federation's Policy and Communications Division in Geneva. Meningitis is difficult to detect because early symptoms like headaches or fever are common in other diseases so it is crucial for communities to be aware of the danger.

"Meningococcal meningitis is one of the most feared epidemic diseases in Africa because of its rapid onset, high fatality rates and long-term impacts such as brain damage and deafness affecting many survivors," explains Dr Jari Vainio, Senior Officer in the Public Health in Emergencies Unit of the International Federation's Health and Care Department.

The 14 countries involved in the project are located along what is commonly called the "African meningitis belt". They are: Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Burkina-Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Mali, Chad, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin.

In addition to prevention activities, the International Federation has also teamed up with the International Research Institute for Climate and Society based at Columbia University (USA) to work on an early warning system for meningitis outbreaks. This tool will be used to enhance the International Federation's community-based response.

The International Federation is also a member of an International Coordination Group trying to cope with the shortage of meningitis vaccines by sending stocks of vaccine as soon as an epidemic is identified. Globally, there are only about 7 million doses of vaccine for a potentially-affected population of 80 million.