Is the end in sight for meningitis?

Editor’s Note: Vital Signs is a monthly program bringing viewers health stories from around the world. Story highlights Meningitis outbreaks take place each year along Africa's 'Meningitis belt' A vaccine against Meningitis A was introduced in many countries along the belt in 2010 Within five years, infections have fallen dramatically and elimination is now in sight CNN — Each year, millions are at risk of outbreaks of meningitis that sweep across 26 countries, known as the ‘meningitis belt.’ The bacterial disease infected a record 250,000 people – and caused 25,000 deaths – during an outbreak in 1996 and numbers have since come in annual waves, with rates of new infections as high 1 in 100 people in some areas. As well as protect individuals, the vaccine also prevents asymptomatic people from carrying the Meningitis A bacteria in their system and spreading the disease without realizing – enabling greater herd immunity. “It’s gone from high numbers to almost zero…we’re almost at elimination of meningitis A,” says Davis. “The key concern is that strain A doesn’t come back,” says Davis who is determined to ensure the vaccine becomes routine.