A meningitis outbreak has killed 668 people and infected at least 6,912 in a number of west African countries since January, local media reported on Monday.

Local media quoted a UN body as saying that up to March 18, 616 deaths and a total of 6,110 cases of the disease had been reported in Burkina-Faso, a landlocked state in west Africa.

In Niger, the neighboring country of Burkina-Faso, a total of 802 cases of the disease were reported from the end of February till March 10, among which 52 people died.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on March 22 that the meningitis outbreak had killed 580 people and infected at least 5,139 in several African countries. The hardest-hit country had been Burkina-Faso.

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, and the International Red Cross were ready to help the countries prevent and control the disease. Free vaccinations 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 a fever, vomiting, intense headaches, and a stiff neck. In severe cases, it can cause brain damage and even death.

Source: Xinhua