The Neisseria meningitidis W135 epidemic in 2012 in Burkina Faso

: We describe the main features of a meningitis outbreak caused by Neisseria meningitidis W135 which occurred in Burkina Faso from January to April 2012. Data were collected from the health districts. Meningitis cases were defined as suspected cases, probable or confirmed, according to clinical and laboratory criteria. The epidemic reached 13 health districts with a total of 5300 reported cases and 553 deaths (10.4%), mainly in the age group 5-14 years. The sex ratio was 1.3 for males. N. meningitidis W135 was reported in 49 of 63 (78%) districts and identified by latex test in 68% of cerebrospinal fluid. Three health districts have benefited from a reactive vaccination campaign with the tetravalent vaccine polysaccaridic (A, C, Y, W135). Patients were treated with ceftriaxone or ampicillin, in accordance with national guidelines. This study emphasized the necessity to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance and laboratory capacities, and make available the tetravalent conjugated vaccine in order to improve the response to meningitis outbreaks.