There has been an outbreak of Meningococcal Meningitis in France. The people affected had either recently travelled to one of the 25 countries in the African ‘Meningitis Belt’ or were the friends and relatives of those who had recently been travelling. All had the W135 strain of meningitis. The vaccine routinely given to citizens of the UK only covers Meningitis C, this will not protect you against all of the types of meningitis in the ‘Meningitis Belt’.
The ‘Meningitis Belt’ refers to a string of 25 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa which are at risk of Meningococcal Meningitis epidemics.
Meningococcal Meningitis is an infection of the brain membrane caused by a bacteria, it can be fatal. The bacteria are transmitted from person-to-person through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions (coughing and sneezing).
There is a vaccine (Menveo) which offers protection against the four most common vaccine preventable Meningococcal Meningitis causing bacteria – strains A, C, W135 and Y. Any person travelling to one of the meningitis belt countries and is likely to have close, prolonged contact with the local population, planning to stay for longer than a month, those visiting friends and relations. Also those who will be exposed to crowded areas such as schools and hospitals or travellers visiting an area affected by an ongoing epidemic. Travellers who fall into these categories should consider vaccination before travelling to protect themselves while they are away and also their loved ones on their return.
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