A doctor administers a meningitis vaccination to a woman. In the background is a long queue of people waiting for their turn to be vaccinated.

Meningitis

Putting meningitis into context

Every year worldwide, 2.5 million people contract bacterial meningitis, including 500,000 cases of meningococcal meningitis.Left untreated, up to 50% of people who contract bacterial meningitis may die.

Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis, a serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

Meningococcal meningitis occurs throughout the world but the vast majority of infections and deaths are in Africa, particularly across the "meningitis belt", stretching from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east. 

The infection can progress rapidly, and death can follow within hours of the onset of symptoms. 

However, even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate treatment is started, up to 10 percent of patients do not survive. Left untreated, up to 50 percent of cases may die. Among survivors, 10 to 20 percent are left with lifelong conditions such as deafness, mental retardation and epilepsy.  

Vaccines are used for prevention and in response to outbreaks.  
 

About meningitis

The feet of a baby with meningitis are in focus. They are on a blanket with brightly coloured pictures of ladybirds, cats, caterpillars and butterflies
After a prolonged resuscitation, with the baby’s life hanging in the balance, we were finally able to stabilise him. Cathy Branthwaite, an MSF Paediatrician in Sudan
Meningitis

The ‘miracle baby’ of Renk in South Sudan

A little boy smiles as he gets a Meningitis vaccination.
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