Understanding and Combatting Meningitis: Key Facts, Prevention, and WHO Response

- December 22, 2024

~~ Dr. Wey George Danlami Consultant-Family Physician

Key Facts of Meningitis:

- Meningitis is a devastating disease with a high case fatality rate and can lead to serious long-term complications.

- Many organisms can cause meningitis, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

- Bacterial meningitis is particularly concerning, with a significant mortality rate and severe complications.

- Safe and affordable vaccines are the most effective way to provide long-lasting protection against meningitis.

- Meningitis remains a major global public health challenge, with epidemics seen around the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

Overview:

- Meningitis is the inflammation of tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, often caused by infection.

- It can be fatal and requires immediate medical care.

- There are effective vaccines and treatments available for some bacterial causes of meningitis, but it remains a significant threat globally.

- Acute bacterial meningitis is primarily caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus agalactiae.

Who is at Risk:

- Young children are most at risk of meningitis, with newborns susceptible to Group B streptococcus and young children to other bacteria.

- People worldwide are at risk, with the highest burden seen in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the African Meningitis Belt.

- Close living conditions, immune deficiencies, and smoking can increase the risk of meningitis.

- Transmission varies by organism, with most bacteria spread through respiratory secretions.

Signs and Symptoms:

- Symptoms of meningitis include neck stiffness, fever, confusion, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

- Some types of meningitis can also present with seizures, coma, or neurological deficits.

- Different pathogens may have similar symptoms, but treatment varies based on the cause.

Complications and Sequelae:

- One in five survivors of bacterial meningitis may have long-lasting effects, such as hearing loss, seizures, limb weakness, and cognitive impairment.

- Preventing meningitis through vaccination is crucial to reducing the risk of complications.

Prevention:

- Vaccines offer the best protection against common types of bacterial meningitis, including meningococcus, pneumococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae.

- Antibiotics for prevention can reduce the risk of transmission to close contacts of individuals with meningococcal disease.

- Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in managing meningitis effectively.

Diagnosis:

- Diagnosis involves clinical examination, lumbar puncture, and identification of the causative organism through various tests.

- Molecular typing and genome sequencing are essential for identifying different strains.

Treatment:

- Meningitis is a medical emergency and requires urgent treatment.

- Antibiotics are crucial for bacterial meningitis, while supportive care is essential for viral meningitis.

- Complications of meningitis can have a significant impact on individuals, families, and communities, requiring long-term medical care and support.

Surveillance:

- Surveillance is critical in controlling meningitis outbreaks, monitoring trends, estimating disease burden, and assessing the impact of control strategies.

- Surveillance helps in detecting and confirming outbreaks, as well as tracking the evolution of specific strains and their antibiotic resistance profiles.

WHO Response:

- The global roadmap for Defeating Meningitis by 2030 sets goals for the elimination of bacterial meningitis epidemics and reduction in cases and deaths from vaccine-preventable meningitis.

- WHO is working on an Intersectoral global action plan to address challenges in providing care and services for people with epilepsy and other neurological disorders.