Meningococcal disease and travel

Abstract

Meningococcal disease continues to be a worldwide problem. This review examines the impact meningococcal disease has on international travel and vice versa the impact international travel has on the intercontinental spread of meningococci. The risk of meningococcal disease to the endemic population differs from that of travellers. The best documented risk of meningococcal disease among travellers has been in Hajj pilgrims for Mecca and Madina in Saudi Arabia. In response to the recent Hajj associated outbreak of W135 meningococcal disease, quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (against serogroups A/C/Y/W135) became a visa requirement. In view of increasing worldwide reports of Y and W135 meningococcal disease, there should be a switch in recommendation from the bivalent (against A& C) to the quadrivalent vaccine for all travellers.