Meningococcal meningitis outbreaks spreading from Ghana

There are 13 different groups of meningitis, of which groups B and C are most common in the UK.

Type A and the less common W135 can cause serious epidemics which occur predominantly in the African meningitis belt from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east. In March 2014 there are major outbreaks of meningitis in Ghana, so far having caused 60 cases, and where they are appealing for vaccines.

These serotypes have also been responsible for outbreaks in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj pilgrimages.

The Travel Clinic Ltd has vaccine available to protect you from Meningitis B and meningitis A,C,W135 and Y.

Cerebral Spinal Meningitis is most often caused by the bacteria which may lead to meningitis or severe septicaemia. The rapid spread of the disease is due to the ease with which the bacteria are transmitted. It is spread by droplets infection, kissing, sneezing, coughing, and sharing of eating or drinking utensils.

Bacterial Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the thin covering of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of the disease include stiff neck, high fever, rash, headache, vomiting, and confusion. Even with rapid diagnosis, 5-10% of patients typically die within 24-48 hours of symptom onset. Although sometimes fatal, meningitis is most often treatable with antibiotics administered upon hospital admission.

Within the Meningitis Belt, routine immunisation is not practical, due to the expense. Even with large-scale coverage, vaccination efforts in this part of the world would not provide sufficient herd immunity to protect the population at large. It is important to protect yourself prior to travel to Sub Saharan Africa for all those travellers considered to be at risk. This protection is readily available at The Travel Clinic Ltd, Cambridge and Ipswich.
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