Global spredning af meningokok serogruppe w135

Worldwide, meningococcal meningitis and sepsis cause 500,000 cases of illness and 50,000 deaths annually. The increase in global travel activity has resulted in a change in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, and an accumulation of evidence now indicates a connection between pilgrimage and the spread of meningococcal serogroup W135. During the past decade a number of cases of meningococcal disease caused by serogroup W135 have been observed in West Africa. The epidemiology of meningococcal disease in the meningitis belt has changed and this calls for awareness when counselling travellers.