Urgent health warning as UK travellers return from abroad with serious illness

People in the UK have been warned to stay alert as a serious illness has been identified in people travelling back to the UK from overseas.

Travel Health Pro, an organisation commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has warned Brits about meningococcal disease as three cases have been picked up here in the UK.

The bacterial infection, which can cause diseases like meningitis and septicaemia, can be fatal in some cases. Because the symptoms can progress 'rapidly', officials from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have warned people to stay vigilant and spot the early signs.

As well as the three UK cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), four in France and five in the USA have also been picked up as of May 17, 2024. Wales Online reports that most of these cases were reported after taking park in the Umrah pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia.

The ECDC said: "IMD is an acute severe bacterial infection, with high case fatality, presenting with meningitis and/or sepsis, often with a rapid progression, requiring medical support and prompt treatment with antibiotics. The highest incidence occurs in young children, adolescents and young adults."

The meningococcus serogroup W, which the majority of these cases belong to, has been linked with higher disease severity and case fatality. For those who are vaccinated however, the likelihood of infection is low.

The ECDC continued: "For unvaccinated pilgrims visiting these sites, the likelihood of infection is moderate. ECDC assesses the risk of IMD to the general public in the EU as very low due to the very small probability of exposure and potential infection."

People travelling to the Hajj and Umrah zones in KSA should get the quadrivalent (ACWY) meningococcal vaccine at least 10 days before they are due to set off.

Symptoms of meningitis

Common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include sudden fever, headache, and stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, and confusion.

Children and babies may show different signs and symptoms, such as inactivity, irritability, vomiting, or poor reflexes.

If your doctor suspects you may have meningitis, they should flag if you've been to Saudi Arabia for this pilgrimage and you will be monitored for at least 10 day from the last possible exposure.

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