This illness is caused by bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis) that infect the membranes lining the brain and spinal cord. The disease is endemic among children, for the most part, in areas of the world described here. They mostly are asymptomatic, but can be the source of infection in our travelers, which unfortunately has occurred often enough to cause a great deal of health concern. The disease has been of sufficient importance among those Muslims migrating to Mecca in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj to have that government make the vaccine mandatory as a condition of entrance to that country.

Symptoms include fever, vomiting, severe headache pain, resistance when moving the head forward, and confusion, or lethargy. The illness may begin abruptly or develop over several days. Seek medical help immediately.

Vaccination

A meningococcal meningitis vaccine is available and usually given to Peace Corps volunteers, missionaries, teachers and others planning to live in close contact with the native population of a third world country, especially in subSaharan Africa for more than 4 weeks. In the United States there is currently a quadrivalent vaccine available that covers all but one strain, serogroup B. You should be vaccinated if planning travel to the "meningitis belt" of Africa, as well as Nepal, India, Kenya and Tanzania.