HEALTH officials have warned of travellers returning to the UK with a rare bacteria that invades the nervous system and can turn fatal within hours.
New figures suggest that three people tested positive for invasive meningococcal disease in the UK after coming back from Saudi Arabia.
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Meningococcal bacteria can lead to two major illnesses: meningitis and septicaemia, which can sometimes occur simultaneously.
Meningitis needs urgent medical treatment because it progresses fast, killing around 10 per cent of those who get it and disabling many others.
Nine in ten children and teenagers who die of meningococcal meningitis die within 24 hours, according to the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Since April, there have been 12 cases of meningococcal disease associated with travel for Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.
Believers in the Muslim faith make Umrah trips to Mecca throughout the year to receive blessings.
Muslims also make a more extended pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime during a set time of year called Hajj, which this year is in June.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, two of the pilgrims who got sick lived in the UK, four lived in France, and five were from the US.
Ten people who got sick had been to Mecca, and two had close contact with someone who did.
Meningococcal disease is highly contagious among unvaccinated people.
The majority of people infected tested for the MenW strain and had not been vaccinated.
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Travellers are now being reminded to get vaccinated before heading to Hajj and Umrah zones this year.
They are also urged to watch out for the symptoms, which can progress “rapidly” and require urgent medical support and emergency antibiotics.
Doctors are being notified to look for signs of meningitis in returning travellers and to flag if the person has been to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.
People who come into close contact with someone with meningococcal disease should get an antibiotic as soon as possible, regardless of their vaccination status, the NHS says on its website.
Meningococcal disease, including meningitis, is an uncommon illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitis.
The disease can also lead to a severe blood infection called septicemia or blood poisoning.
In the UK, there are five main meningococcal strains that commonly cause disease: MenA, MenB, MenC, MenW, and MenY.
MenB is behind the majority of UK cases, according to Meningitis Now.
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The charity said that around 10 per cent of the population actually carries meningococcal bacteria in the back of their throats or noses at any given time.
This bacteria usually causes no harm—in fact, it can help build immunity.
But occasionally, the bacteria can defeat the body’s defences and cause infection.
Those most at risk are babies and young children, followed by teenagers and young people.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease can first appear flu-like and may quickly become more severe.
Everything you need to know about meningitis
Meningitis, is an uncommon but serious illness that can cause life-threatening complications and even death.
It is triggered by the meningococcal bacteria.
It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
Meningitis can attack the lining of the brain and spinal cord and, in some cases, cause a serious blood infection (sepsis).
Early symptoms of meningitis can sometimes be similar to those of the flu, but they can progress quickly and can be fatal.
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
- A high temperature (fever) over 37.5C (99.5F)
- Being sick
- A headache
- A blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it (this won’t always develop)
- A stiff neck
- A dislike of bright lights
- Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Seizures (fits)
These symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear.
When to get medical help
You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you’re concerned that you or your child could have meningitis.
Trust your instincts, and don’t wait until a rash develops.
Phone 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department immediately if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.
Phone 111 or your GP practice for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
How meningitis is spread
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.
Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Kissing
- Sharing utensils, cutlery and toothbrushes
Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but aren’t ill themselves.
It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis.
These include the:
- Meningitis B vaccine – offered to babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 16 weeks, and a booster at 1 year
- 6-in-1 vaccine – offered to babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age
- Pneumococcal vaccine – offered to babies at 12 weeks and between 12 and 13 months old
- Meningitis C vaccine – offered at 12 weeks of age, 1 year
- MMR vaccine – offered to babies at 1 year and a second dose at 3 years and 4 months
- Meningitis ACWY vaccine – offered to teenagers who are in S3 (around 14 years of age) at school. Young people who are in S4-S6 and missed the opportunity to get immunised last year, may also get the vaccine at school this year
It can be treated with antibiotics, but anyone with these symptoms must be admitted to the hospital quickly.