UNICEF warns of meningitis epidemic

There is a risk of meningitis spreading further across Africa if action is not taken to combat the disease, experts have claimed.

The disease has killed more than 2,500 people in west and central Africa so far this year, according to UNICEF.

This represents what may be the worst epidemic for five years, with meningitis in danger of the "meningitis belt" spreading to reach Senegal and Ethiopia, Reuters reports.

In a statement, UNICEF told the news agency: "The agency is warning that lives in other countries in the meningitis belt could be at risk if more vaccines are not made available to contain the disease."

It added that there have been 2,519 deaths from meningitis in Burkina Faso, Chad, Nigeria and Niger from the start of 2009 up to April 5th.

Nigeria has been the worst affected, with 1,701 deaths - Burkina Faso is the second hardest hit nation, with 389.

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