Environmental Risk and Meningitis Epidemics in Africa

• Main Authors: Anna M. Molesworth, Luis E. Cuevas, Stephen J. Connor, Andrew P. Morse, Madeleine C. Thomson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2003-10-01
• Series: Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: Democratic Republic of Congo; Gambia; Malawi; Mozambique; Uganda
• Online Access: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/9/10/03-0182_article

Epidemics of meningococcal meningitis occur in areas with particular environmental characteristics. We present evidence that the relationship between the environment and the location of these epidemics is quantifiable and propose a model based on environmental variables to identify regions at risk for meningitis epidemics. These findings, which have substantial implications for directing surveillance activities and health policy, provide a basis for monitoring the impact of climate variability and environmental change on epidemic occurrence in Africa.