At least 129 people have died in an outbreak of meningitis in Niger and 1,150 have been infected, dpa cited the health ministry as saying on Friday.

The West African nation closed all schools and launched a vaccination campaign to contain the spread of the disease.

The number of new infections was rising rapidly, from 905 cases and 85 deaths earlier this week, according to health minister Mano Aghali.

Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord.