Meningococcal meningitis warning for visitors to Africa
Travellers heading to northern Africa are strongly advised to have the meningococcal meningitis vaccine before departure, following epidemics throughout the continent’s infamous ‘Meningitis Belt’. The sub-Saharan belt, which stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia and includes 15 countries, experiences periodic outbreaks of the deadly bacterial infection – particularly during the dry season – and this year there have been reported cases in Chad, Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso, with thousands infected and several hundred people dead. Outbreaks are expected to continue until the end of the dry season in June.
Travellers heading to northern Africa are strongly advised to have the meningococcal meningitis vaccine before departure, following epidemics throughout the continent’s infamous ‘Meningitis Belt’. The sub-Saharan belt, which stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia and includes 15 countries, experiences periodic outbreaks of the deadly bacterial infection – particularly during the dry season – and this year there have been reported cases in Chad, Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso, with thousands infected and several hundred people dead. Outbreaks are expected to continue until the end of the dry season in June.
The disease is one of the most virulent in the world, and is one of few infections that can kill within 24 hours. Symptoms start mildly, with flu-like fever and headaches, but progress very quickly, and the likely severity increases substantially for those travelling in sparsely populated areas, far from effective medical attention. The vaccine is routinely recommended for anyone travelling, living and working overseas, particularly young adults who might be spending extended periods in crowded areas like hostels, buses or trains.