Pattern of the meningococcal meningitis outbreak in Northern Nigeria, 2009.

Objectives: Despite the availability of vaccines, children are the people most often affected by epidemic meningococcal meningitis. The pattern of the epidemic meningococcal meningitis outbreak in Northern Nigeria in 2009 and the Neisseria meningitidis strains responsible for this epidemic are described here.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 states, involving 48 local government areas (LGAs), 91 health facilities, and 96 communities.