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February 12, 2003
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Meningitis Kills 58 in Burkina Faso, Declared 'Epidemic'" Agence France Presse (www.afp.com/english/home) (02/11/03)
Burkina Faso is the site of a meningitis epidemic that has infected 396 people and caused the deaths of 58 people. Health authorities are warning residents to seek medical treatment at the first sign of symptoms, which include fever, headaches, and stiffening of the neck. The country has few vaccines on hand, and the World Health Organization said Monday that it will provide 500,000 doses in an attempt to control the epidemic. The vaccine will protect people against the A and C strains of meningitis as well as block the W135 strain that broke out in 2002.
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