The World Health Organisation says Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, meningitis and yellow fever are rising globally, and diseases like diphtheria, which have long been held at bay or virtually disappeared in many countries, are at risk of re-emerging.
In the rise of outbreaks, Africa is not spared.

In response, the agencies are calling for urgent and sustained political attention and investment to strengthen immunisation programmes and protect significant progress in reducing child mortality over the past 50 years.

Among these diseases is Meningitis, which has seen a rise, and the upward trend has continued into 2025. In the first three months of this year alone, more than 5,500 suspected cases and nearly 300 deaths were reported in 22 countries. This follows approximately 26, 000 cases and almost 1400 deaths across 24 countries last year.

Let’s listen to Professor Charles Shey Wiysonge, Regional Adviser for Immunisation and Head of the Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Programme at the World Health Organisation African Region.