From 1 November 2022 to 27 January 2023, 559 cases of meningitis, including 18 deaths (CFR 3.2%), were reported in the Zinder Region of Niger, of which 111 cases were laboratory confirmed. The majority of laboratory-confirmed cases (104/111; 93.7%) were due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NmC). The outbreak represents an increase in both the number of cases and the growth rate compared to previous seasons. The outbreak has been identified as a high risk at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low at the global level.

Reactive vaccination campaigns have been implemented with the trivalent ACW meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Males represent 53% of cases, and people under 20 years of age are the most affected (n=538; 96.3%), with the 10-14 years age group being the most affected. The most affected health district is Dungass (342 cases, 6 deaths). There is a risk of international spread since the Zinder Region shares an international border with Jigawa State in Nigeria where a NmC outbreak is also ongoing.

Meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges and can be caused by several different bacteria, with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis being the most frequent ones. The average incubation period is 4 days, and the most common symptoms include a stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity to light, confusion, headaches, and vomiting. The highest burden of disease is seen in the African Meningitis Belt, which is recognised to be at high risk of meningococcal and pneumococcal meningitis epidemics.