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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Meningitis Kills Hundreds In Niger

Compiled From Wire Services

An epidemic of meningitis has killed at least 233 people in the West African country of Niger, national radio reported Tuesday.

Health officials have recorded 2,000 cases of the disease since the end of December, the radio said.

Health officials said they don’t have enough vaccine to ward off the epidemic, which has already spread to Niamey. About 600 cases were reported there, including nine deaths.

Meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes which envelop the brain and spinal cord, is caused by a bacterial or viral infection.