OUTBREAK OF MEASLES AND MENINGITIS AT BOB O-DIOULASSO (BURKINA-FASO),DURING THE FIRST SEMESTER OF 1996 - PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL DATA

During the first semester of 1996, there were twin outbreaks of measle s and meningitis in Burkina Faso. 528 children suffering from severe m easles, and 241 from meningitis were hospitalized in the pediatric dep artment of Sanou Souro hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso. Mortality rate reac hed 28.3 % for measles, related to respiratory infection, malnutrition , high fever, dehydration, and to the important delay before admission , This study stresses once more the fact the measles is severe for you ng children: 73.6 % of patients were under 4 years of age, Therefore, it is trot necessary to vaccinate school age children, Death occured i n 23.3 % of patients suffering from meningitis. 36.5 % of meningitis w ere meningococcal meningitis, Only two cases of co-infection measles-m eningococcal meningitis were observed. So, there seems to be no link b etween the two epidemics. Immunization and health care must be promote d in the community.