A meningitis outbreak has killed 580 people and infected at least 5,100 in a number of sub Saharan African countries since January, local media reported Thursday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday in a report that the worst hit country had been Burkina-Faso, a landlocked state in west Africa, where 399 deaths and a total of 3,237 cases of the disease have been reported.

The disease had also broken out in Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger and some East African countries, including Kenya, Sudan and Uganda, the WHO said.

The WHO, the European Union Humanitarian Assistance Institution and Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) have amassed 1.8 million vaccines to help the countries prevent and control the disease. Free injections were being offered.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord, most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by fever, vomiting, intense headache, and stiff neck. In severe cases, it can cause brain damage and even death.

Source: Xinhua