The Foreign Office has issued an urgent health warning after three British travellers were diagnosed with meningococcal disease upon returning to the UK.
According to the warning, 14 cases of the invasive infection have been reported among travellers to Saudi Arabia. This includes three cases in the UK, five in the US, four in France, and one each in Norway and the Netherlands.
The affected individuals had all recently returned from the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, as reported by Travel Health Pro, a website supported by the Foreign Office.
Meningococcal disease, caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, can lead to meningitis, which is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
The disease progresses rapidly and can be deadly, with a fatality rate of up to 15%. It is most common in children under one year old, teenagers, young adults aged 16 to 23, and individuals 65 and older.
The most common symptoms are fever, headache, and a stiff neck. Patients often experience nausea, vomiting, confusion, and photophobia, a condition that makes eyes more sensitive to light.
These symptoms can initially resemble the flu but quickly become more severe.
The health ministry has provided guidelines to help prevent the disease. Preventative measures include wearing masks, washing hands regularly, and ensuring food is fully cooked.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control stated that the probability of European Hajj pilgrims contracting communicable diseases is “considered to be low” due to Saudi Arabia’s vaccination requirements and health preparedness plans.
However, the Centre also noted that the risk of outbreaks is highest for respiratory, waterborne, food-borne, and vector-borne diseases, similar to other mass gathering events.
