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Archive: International Reports of Meningitis (2005)
Update : July 2005
This year, as in past years, outbreaks of bacterial (meningococcal) meningitis are expected to occur in epidemic form in various countries. Sporadic meningococcal meningitis occurs throughout the world, including Canada. Temperate regions usually experience epidemics in the winter-spring period while tropical regions see increased disease activity during the dry season. The largest and most frequently recurring outbreaks have been in the semi-arid area of sub-Saharan Africa, designated as the A Meningitis Belt. This area extends from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east; epidemics occur between December and June.
When meningococcal meningitis infection is diagnosed and treated early, antibiotics are effective in arresting the illness and reducing mortality rates. Both prophylactic antibiotics and vaccines are used to prevent transmission and curtail outbreaks.
There are 13 recognized serogroups (also referred to as strains) of the causative bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis. Groups A, B and C are the strains most commonly implicated in disease outbreaks. Vaccines have been developed for only four of the 13 strains. Meningococcal vaccines that are currently approved for use in Canada include a quadrivalent vaccine containing strains A, C, Y and W-135; a bivalent vaccine containing strains A and C; and three monovalent vaccines containing strain C only. There is no available vaccine for serogroup B. F or international travellers, the quadrivalent vaccine is generally recommended.
Serogroups B and C are the most frequent causes of sporadic cases and outbreaks of meningococcal disease in Europe and the Americas. Serogroup A still predominates in Africa and Asia. Serogroup Y is relatively uncommon; however, recent reports of endemic occurrences of serogroup Y meningococcal disease in the United States suggest that it is gaining importance. Serogroup W135 is increasingly associated with outbreaks of considerable size. In 2000 and 2001 several hundred pilgrims attending the Hajj in Mecca, Saudia Arabia were infected with N. meningitidis W135, importing the disease to their home countries upon return. Additionally, in 2002, W135 emerged in Burkina Faso, striking 13,000 people and killing 1,500.
For additional information on meningococcal meningitis including its prevention and treatment, visit the following Web pages from the Public Health Agency of Canada:
The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of the following epidemic and outbreak meningitis activity as reported by international sources indicated. This list is not necessarily complete. Travellers who visit areas where meningitis epidemics occur regularly should be aware that outbreaks can occur at any time. Travellers to these areas are advised to consult with their personal physician or a travel medicine clinic to determine their need for vaccination.
Country and Source of information |
Date |
Meningitis incidence |
India
[WHO] |
14 June 2005 |
As of 8th June, 2005, the cumulative total is now 405 cases
with 48 deaths (CFR=11.9 %). 314 cases discharged from hospital. |
India
[WHO] |
30 May 2005 |
As of 26th May, 2005, the cumulative total of the number of
cases is at 368 with 37 deaths (CFR=10.1%). 248 cases have been
discharged from hospital. The age distribution of cases show about
6% under age five, 32% between the ages of 5-14 years, 44% between
15-29 years, 10% between the ages of 30-44 and 6% aged 45 and older.
The highest numbers of deaths 62% was in the 15-29 age groups.
The sex distribution of cases shows about 74% are males and 26%
females. The geographic distribution of cases reported in Delhi
shows the highest numbers of cases in the zones of City, Shahdara
North, Sadar Paharganj, Shahdara South, Civil Lines and Central. |
India
[WHO] |
17 May 2005 |
As of 16th May 2005, 303 cases of meningococcal disease have been
reported in Delhi with 26 deaths. The majority of cases and all deaths
have occurred in young adult population between 16 -30 years of age.
The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has demonstrated
the presence of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A in cerebrospinal
fluid obtained from 18 cases. Most of the reported cases are from
the walled city of Old Delhi and Shahdara. |
India
[WHO] |
12 May 2005 |
Between 29 March and 10 May 2005, a total of 214 cases including
16 deaths (case fatality rate 7.5%) has been reported to WHO (see
previous report  ).
The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed
N. meningitidis serogroup A in 7 cerebrospinal fluid specimens. Most
of the cases have been reported from Old Delhi. |
India
[WHO] |
09 May 2005 |
Since 29 March 2005, 111 cases of meningococcal disease have
been reported in Delhi till 10 am on 6 May 2005. To date 15 deaths
have been reported. Majority of cases and all deaths have occurred
in young adult population. The National Institute of Communicable
Diseases (NICD) has demonstrated the presence of Neisseria meningitidis
serogroup A in cerebrospinal fluid obtained from five cases. Most
cases have been reported from Old Delhi. |
Sudan
[WHO] |
06 April 2005 |
UPDATE - As of 25 March 2005, 71 suspected cases including 5 deaths
(case fatality rate, 7.04%) have been reported from Sarf Omra, North
Darfur state. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 has been identified
by either latex test or culture in 11 out of 20 specimens collected. |
Chad
[WHO] |
24 March 2005 |
As of March 16, 2005, the Ministry of Health has reported 387
cases including 53 deaths in Chad, this year. Two districts have
reached the epidemic threshold: Bongor (124 cases and 6 deaths)
and Moissal (64 cases and 16 deaths). Neisseria meningitidis serogroup
A has been confirmed in 9 out of 16 samples of cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF). Case fatality rate of 13% |
Sudan
[WHO] |
23 March 2005 |
As of the week of 14-20 March 2005, 27 suspected cases of meningococcal
disease have been reported from Saraf Omra, Kabkabia locality,
North Darfur State. Out of 20 specimens collected, 11 (55%) have
been confirmed as Neisseria meningitidis W135 by either latex test
or culture. |
China
[Ministry of Health, China] |
23 March 2005 |
Based on the latest available information from the Chinese
Ministry of Health, a total of 424 cases of Meningitis including
43 deaths, were reported in February. No additional information
has been released with regard to the geographic distribution of
cases or prevalent serotype in February. |
Sudan
[WHO] |
18 February 2005 |
As of February 7, 2005 the Ministry of Health in Sudan has reported
250 cases of meningococcal disease including 19 deaths. Cases have
been reported from Blue Nile (199 cases), Gedaref (22 cases), and
Khartoum States (29 cases) - all located in the eastern region of
the country. Three specimens have been laboratory confirmed as serogroup
A. |
China
[Ministry of Health, China] |
18 February 2005 |
During the 2005 Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) between February
9 and 15, an additional 40 cases of meningitis across 14 provinces
were reported. Main provinces where cases were reported include Jiangsu
(5 cases), Zhejiang (5 cases), Guangdong (5 cases), Shandong (4 cases),
Henan (4 cases). |
Philippines
[WHO] |
14 February 2005 |
Between October 1, 2004 and February 2, 2005, the Philippines
reported 98 cases with 32 deaths, of meningococcal disease in the
Cordillera Administrative Region. The cases have been reported
from the city of Baguio (74 cases) within the Province of Benguet,
Mt. Province (22 cases) and Ifugao Province (2 cases). Sero-type
A has been confirmed. |
China
[Department of Health, China] |
14 February 2005 |
Between November 2004 and January 30, 2005, China reported 546
confirmed cases and 16 deaths of Meningococcal disease – primarily
serotype C and serotype A, in 28 provinces. Nearly half (258) of
the reported cases occurred between January 1 and January 30. In
Anhui Province, 49 cases were reported, 30 cases in Henan Province,
19 cases in Hebei Province, 16 cases in both Jiangsu and Sichuan
Provinces. The remaining reported 128 cases have been reported throughout
the remaining 23 provinces with each reported less that 10 cases |
Chad
[WHO] |
28 January 2005 |
From January 6 to 25, a total of 14 suspected cases of meningitis
disease were reported from Brejing, Trejing and Farchana refugee
camps in northern Chad. Of 12 cases that were tested, 5 cases were
positive for sero-type W135. |
**CFR = Case Fatality Ratio |
Source: World Health Organization, Meningococcal
Disease Epidemiological Information
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