Increased cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) related to travel to Saudi Arabia

As of May 17th, twelve cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) have been reported in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, linked to pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia. Most cases, not vaccinated, belong to the meningococcus serogroup W. IMD is a serious bacterial infection with high mortality, affecting mainly children and young adults. In 2022, 1,149 cases of IMD were reported in the EU/EEA. The ECDC considers the risk to the EU general public very low, but moderate for unvaccinated pilgrims. It recommends quadrivalent vaccination (ACWY) for eligible travelers, medical awareness for early detection, appropriate case management, and continuous surveillance and reporting to prevent and control the spread of the disease.