The Foreign Office has issued a public alert after detecting a serious disease in individuals returning to the UK. Travel Health Pro, a government branch, has confirmed three cases of meningococcal disease.
This severe bacterial infection, known for its high mortality risk, can cause meningitis and sepsis. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warns that the disease often progresses rapidly, making prompt medical attention and swift antibiotic treatment essential.
Twelve cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) have been reported, including four in France and five in the US as of May 17. Almost all cases were linked to individuals who participated in the Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Most cases involve the meningococcus serogroup W strain, typically affecting those without a vaccination record.
The ECDC stresses that IMD is a rapidly progressing, acute, and severe bacterial infection that can lead to high mortality rates, manifesting as meningitis or sepsis. Immediate medical attention and prompt antibiotic treatment are crucial.
While the disease primarily affects young children, adolescents, and young adults, the ECDC assures that vaccinated individuals are at minimal risk. The serogroup W strain is known for its increased severity and higher mortality risk among the various strains of the disease, according to Bristol Live.
The statement clarified: “Pilgrims traveling to Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia who have received the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine are at low risk of infection due to the immunity provided by the vaccine. However, unvaccinated pilgrims visiting these areas face a moderate risk.” The ECDC considers the risk of IMD for the wider EU population to be very low, given the exceedingly rare chance of exposure and infection. It is advised that travelers to Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia get vaccinated with the quadrivalent (ACWY) meningococcal vaccine at least 10 days before departure.
Healthcare professionals are advised to monitor for meningitis symptoms in travelers returning from Saudi Arabia, especially those who participated in the pilgrimage. If infection is suspected, the individual should be isolated, and their recent close contacts should be identified and observed for at least 10 days after the last exposure.
Typical symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include sudden onset of fever, headache, and a stiff neck. Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, and disorientation.
In children and infants, symptoms might differ, such as lethargy, irritability, vomiting, or sluggish reflexes.