Uganda is one of the many small countries in Africa that we often don't hear much about. The total population is just over 32,000,000 and surrounded by other countries on all four sides: in the east by Kenya, south by Tanzania, north by Sudan, and the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This area is sometimes called the “meningitis belt”, or simply the belt, because this area as well as others are where meningitis is known to be most deadly.
Though Uganda has never faced any major problems with disease in the past, in 2007 the death toll due to meningitis raised up to 110 deaths in the West Nile area, with over 2,500 reportedly infected. Many schools, disco halls and markets were closed because of the high risk of infection, and churches had to limit services in order to slow down the spread of disease. It is surprising, therefore, that only recently it was announced by the President that the West African region is procuring and giving out vaccines that are capable of preventing and stopping the virus.
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| Photo (c) Francesco Zizzola of children in Uganda. |
According to New Vision Online, a Uganda newspaper, Dr. Asuman Lukwago, the health ministry's acting secretary, stated, “We always assess the threat before procuring any vaccine. However, we don't always carry out routine vaccinations since meningitis attacks are not common in the country.” These vaccines, dubbed the MenAfriVac, cost less than 50 US cents per dose, and are a safe and cheap remedy for one of the biggest and most widely spread viruses.
Though it is unusual for the major A epidemics to occur (usually once every 7-14 years) it is estimated over 450 million people are at risk for catching this deadly virus across the African continent. These tightly knit African countries have suffered epidemics for over 100 years that have destroyed many lives, and it is a relief to many that a ready vaccine will soon be arriving.
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