Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has been identified in France, Norway, the US, the UK, and Saudi Arabia among individuals who recently traveled to Saudi Arabia.
The latest Communicable Disease Threats Report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also notes that a patient in the Netherlands contracted the disease without visiting the Middle East. The report indicates that this patient had close contact with people who had returned from Saudi Arabia, although other possible exposures cannot be ruled out.
Neisseria meningitidis causes a bacterial disease that can result in severe conditions like meningitis and septicemia. Immediate antibiotic treatment and hospitalization are crucial to prevent these conditions from becoming fatal.
According to the charity Meningitis Now, meningococcal disease can be fatal in up to 10% of cases. The Meningitis Research Foundation notes that nine out of ten children and teenagers who die from meningococcal meningitis succumb within 24 hours.
According to a news report by The Sun, three cases of the disease have been identified in the UK among individuals recently returned from Saudi Arabia. France has reported four cases, the US five cases, and Norway one case, all involving travelers or contacts of pilgrims returning from the Umrah pilgrimage. Umrah is a pilgrimage undertaken by Muslims to the holy city of Mecca throughout the year for blessings.
In 2024, Saudi Arabian health authorities have mandated that Hajj and Umrah pilgrims receive the quadrivalent meningococcal (ACYW) polysaccharide vaccine at least 10 days before arrival or have been vaccinated within the last three years.