First WHO guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of meningitis

The first global guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and care of meningitis, aimed at improving the speed of diagnosis, ensuring timely treatment, and reducing death and disability from the disease, have been published by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines against some forms of meningitis, the disease remains a significant threat to global health, with approximately 2.5 million cases reported globally in 2019. The disease also carries significant financial and social costs for individuals, families, and communities. The disease is most prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in regions experiencing frequent epidemics, including sub-Saharan Africa. The new guidelines, which address both bacterial and viral forms of meningitis, provide recommendations for both non-epidemic and epidemic settings, replacing the previous WHO guidelines from 2014. The new guidelines are in line with the Global Roadmap to eliminate meningococcal meningitis by 2030, endorsed by WHO Member States in 2020, and focus on implementing health interventions in low- and middle-income countries. The Roadmap’s key goals are to eliminate outbreaks of bacterial meningitis, achieve a 50% reduction in cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis, and achieve a 70% reduction in deaths. The roadmap also seeks to enhance the quality of life for those affected by the disease and reduce the level of long-term disability.