Josanne Cassar | Understanding Meningococcal Meningitis

Young children and adolescents worldwide, including in Malta, as well as travellers to areas of high infection, are most at risk of contracting meningococcal meningitis.1
A serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, meningococcal meningitis can develop very quickly and become life-threatening within 24-48 hours.1 The disease may be caused by different types of meningococcal bacteria and may be spread through prolonged close contact especially in crowded conditions.1,2

In Europe the annual incidence of meningococcal infection is low, ranging from 0.1 to 1.8 cases per 100,000 population.3 Although not a common disease, meningococcal meningitis may strike healthy children without warning.

Early symptoms of meningitis can be like other childhood illnesses, but a child will usually get ill quickly and get worse fast.4

Meningococcal meningitis progresses very rapidly and may lead to severe and potentially life-threatening consequences. Even with timely and appropriate treatment, about 10% of people may die and about 10-20% of survivors have serious irreversible consequences, such as amputations, hearing loss or brain damage.1,6

Dr David Pace, Consultant Infectious Disease Paediatrician strongly advises that in view of these devastating effects ‘prevention of meningococcal meningitis through vaccination is better than cure’.

Understanding Meningococcal Meningitis

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