Meningococcal Disease

Treatment

Meningococcal disease can be rapidly fatal and should always be viewed as a medical emergency. Antibiotic treatment must be started early in the course of the disease.

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Vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis

Vaccination against meningococcal disease is required only by Saudi Arabia for pilgrims entering Mecca or Medina. Vaccination is also advisable for travelers to countries with known epidemic meningococcal disease caused by vaccine preventable serogroups. In sub-Saharan Africa occur frequently during the dry season (December through June) in the area extending from Senegal eastward across central Africa to Ethiopia, the "meningitis belt."

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Indications for meningococcal vaccination in travelers:

Travel to highly-endemic areas in sub-Saharan Africa during the dry season (December-June). For Saudi Arabia and for travel to the Hajj, proof of vaccination (certificate) within the previous 3 years is required for pilgrimages to Mecca or Medina.

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Additional Information: CDC - Health Information for International Travel 2020, Meningococcal Disease, p. 293-298.