UNICEF and partners vaccinating over 1.

1 million people in Guinea to

halt meningitis outbreak

CONAKRY, Guinea 16 June 2014 This weekend, the Government of Guinea, the
World Health Organization, and UNICEF completed a vaccination campaign in the
countrys Eastern Region where a recent meningitis outbreak has already caused at least
52 deaths since the beginning of the year.

The campaign, which reached over 95 per cent of those aged one to 29 living in the
affected areas of Mandiana and Siguiri, lasted for six days. UNICEF and partners reached
close to 1,153,000 people. Additionally, local teams have conducted an information
campaign on rural radio and through direct community sensitization in gathering places
to educate the population about the dangers of meningitis to children and to provide
details on the locations of vaccination centres. Furthermore, the cold chain, which keeps
the vaccines viable, was strengthened.

Along with Ebola, Guinea is facing many other health crises, said Dr. Mohamed Ag
Ayoya, Representative, UNICEF Guinea. We confront measles, malaria, malnutrition,
and meningitis. Despite all of these challenges, I am happy to announce on the Day of
the African Child, that we were able to complete the meningitis vaccination campaign
and protect children from this deadly disease.

Guinea is located in the Meningitis Belt stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia where in
the last 15 years there have been an estimated 700,000 cases with a fatality rate of
more than 10 per cent. Meningitis is a seasonal disease that tends to be most active
during the dry season.

From 2005 to 2010, outbreaks have been recorded in the Guinean districts of Lola,
NZrkor, Tougu, Faranah, and Lab for a total of 831 suspected cases with 139
deaths or 16.7% lethality. In the beginning of 2013, the country recorded 85 suspected
cases of meningitis and 13 deaths (15.3% fatality rate) and since the beginning of 2014,
539 suspected cases and 52 deaths (9.6% fatality rate) were reported.

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About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together
with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment
into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and
excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about
UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org

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For further information, please contact:

Timothy La Rose, UNICEF Guinea, Tel (+224) 622 350 251, tlarose@unicef.org
PRESS RELEASE