ArticleBMC infectious diseases2012
Definition and characterization of localised meningitis epidemics in Burkina Faso: a longitudinal retrospective study.
Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Pooled it
- High-spatial resolution epidemic surveillance of bacterial meningitis in the African meningitis belt in Burkina Faso.Scientific reports · 2022Article
- The environmental drivers of bacterial meningitis epidemics in the Democratic Republic of Congo, central Africa.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2020Article
- Compartmental models for seasonal hyperendemic bacterial meningitis in the African meningitis belt.Epidemiology and infection · 2018Article
- Atmospheric Dust, Early Cases, and Localized Meningitis Epidemics in the African Meningitis Belt: An Analysis Using High Spatial Resolution Data.Environmental health perspectives · 2018Article
- The association between respiratory tract infection incidence and localised meningitis epidemics: an analysis of high-resolution surveillance data from Burkina Faso.Scientific reports · 2017Article
- Serogroup W Meningitis Outbreak at the Subdistrict Level, Burkina Faso, 2012.Emerging infectious diseases · 2015Article
- Response Strategies against Meningitis Epidemics after Elimination of Serogroup A Meningococci, Niger.Emerging infectious diseases · 2015Article
- Soil dust aerosols and wind as predictors of seasonal meningitis incidence in Niger.Environmental health perspectives · 2014Article
- Spatio-temporal factors associated with meningococcal meningitis annual incidence at the health centre level in Niger, 2004-2010.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2014Article
- Exploring the role narrative free-text plays in discrepancies between physician coding and the InterVA regarding determination of malaria as cause of death, in a malaria holo-endemic region.Malaria journal · 2012Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe epidemiology of meningococcal meningitis in the African meningitis belt is characterised by seasonality, localised epidemics and epidemic waves. To facilitate research and surveillance, we aimed to develop a definition for localised epidemics to be used in real-time surveillance based on weekly case reports at the health centre level.
methodsWe used national routine surveillance data on suspected meningitis from January 2004 to December 2008 in six health districts in western and central Burkina Faso. We evaluated eight thresholds composed of weekly incidence rates at health centre level for their performance in predicting annual incidences of 0.4%and 0.8% in health centre areas. The eventually chosen definition was used to describe the spatiotemporal epidemiology and size of localised meningitis epidemics during the included district years.
resultsAmong eight weekly thresholds evaluated, a weekly incidence rate of 75 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during at least two consecutive weeks with at least 5 cases per week had 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity for predicting an annual incidence of at least 0.8% in health centres. Using this definition, localised epidemics were identified in all but one years during 2004-2008, concerned less than 10% of the districts' population and often were geographically dispersed. Where sufficient laboratory data were available, localised epidemics were exclusively due to meningococci.
conclusionsThis definition of localised epidemics a the health centre level will be useful for risk factor and modelling studies to understand the meningitis belt phenomenon and help documenting vaccine impact against epidemic meningitis where no widespread laboratory surveillance exists for quantifying disease reduction after vaccination.
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