Based on the success of the meningitis C conjugate vaccine in the UK, WHO are persuing a project, aimed at rapidly developing a conjugate A vaccine for use in the meningitis belt. The naturally dry climate of Saudi Arabia, a deterrent to mosquitos, helped to control the disease rapidly. Effective spraying, and the use of veterinary vaccines diminished viral trans- mission. Meanwhile an outbreak of hantavirus in Santiago and elsewhere in Chile is now under control, with ten cases reported and six deaths so far. Children and young adults have carried the major burden of the disease so far.
Surveillance is critical.
Monitoring circulating virus strains has enabled experts to decide the composition of the 2001-2002 northern hemisphere influenza vaccine.