Final answer:
From 2009 to 2010, the outbreak of bacterial meningitis in West Africa is consistent with B. an epidemic, which is a significant increase in disease occurrence within a specific area, different from a pandemic or a blight.
Step-by-step explanation:
The higher number of cases of bacterial meningitis in West Africa from 2009 to 2010 is consistent with B. an epidemic. An epidemic refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in a specific area. In contrast, a pandemic is an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people. A blight, on the other hand, typically refers to a plant disease or something that causes harm or destruction, not a human disease outbreak.
Meningococcal meningitis is known to occur in epidemics, particularly in the 'meningitis belt' of sub-Saharan Africa, which includes West Africa. These outbreaks can be influenced by factors such as dry climate, overcrowding, and low levels of immunity and nutrition among the population. While vaccines are available to prevent certain strains of N. meningitidis, the bacteria that causes meningococcal meningitis, outbreaks can still happen, particularly in conditions where people live in close quarters.