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Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso: Meningitis and measles DREF Operation No. MDRBF007

Attachments

GLIDE n=B0 EP-2009-000050-BFA

The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.

CHF 99,400 (USD 85,941 or EUR 67,008) is requested from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Burkinabe Faso Red Cross in reaching some 3,000,000 people through a health sensitization and education campaign. Un-earmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

Summary: An outbreak of measles and meningitis has occurred in Burkina Faso. The meningitis epidemic broke out in four health districts: Solenzo, Toma, Manni and Batié. As for the measles epidemic, it affected three other ones, Bogodogo, Fada and Sindou. A number of 178 people have been confirmed dead due to meningitis and 13 from measles. In response to those two outbreaks a DREF has been launched. The Burkinabe Red Cross Society (BRCS) plans to mobilize its volunteers for health education and sensitizing activities.

This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will therefore be completed by 20 May 2009; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation by August 2009.

The situation

In Burkina Faso, a meningitis epidemic has caused 1,248 cases and 178 deaths by Week 7, with a case fatality rate of 14.26% according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Four health districts are affected: Solenzo, Toma, Manni and Batié.

There is a concurrent measles epidemic throughout Burkina Faso which has caused 2,751 cases and 13 deaths (case fatality rate 0.47%) at the end of week 7. The most affected districts are Bogodogo, Fada and Sindou, which borders with Ivory Coast.

Coordination and partnerships

The MoH has notified the meningitis and measles outbreaks and is in the process of procuring and providing access to drugs in the affected health districts. It is also conducting epidemiological surveillance throughout the country and investigating the meningitis outbreak in the most affected districts of Solenzo, Toma and Manni. A sensitization campaign sponsored by the Ministry of Health is broadcasting key messages on meningitis and measles via television and radio spots.

Red Cross and Red Crescent action

The Burkinabe Red Cross Society has a pool of volunteers trained in meningitis prevention and response in place and the volunteers have already been active in the concerned districts. The Red Cross is aware that both meningitis and measles are highly contagious and spread very quickly and is keen to avoid the situation that evolved in 2007 when there was a major meningitis outbreak. The Red Cross as a long-term partner of the Ministry of Health and is keen to be involved with proposed Plan of Action.