An outbreak of meningitis epidemic in Niger Republic has killed 76 people out of a total of 1,049 cases reported, since January in the country, a health official said on Friday.

Meningitis,  an inflammation of the meninges caused by viral or bacterial infection is marked by intense headache and fever, sensitivity to light, and muscular rigidity, leading in severe cases to convulsions, delirium, and death.

The source from the Health Ministry said the most affected were those aged five to 14.

No fewer than 20 have died of the disease in the capital, Niamey.

However, measures have been taken since January to fight the epidemic.

The ministry added that the government has distributed drugs in hospitals across the country to treat any suspected cases.

Report says over 132,000 people have been vaccinated against the disease from February to March in an ongoing vaccination campaign.

It said that in 2015, meningitis killed over 573 people out of 8,500 cases detected in Niger.