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Meningococcal disease and travel
Annelies Wilder-Smith1, Ziad Memish
1Travellers' Health and Vaccination Centre, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Singapore. epvws@pacific.net.sg
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|March 5, 2003
Summary
Meningococcal disease poses global travel risks. Travelers, especially pilgrims, face unique threats, necessitating a shift to quadrivalent vaccines for broader protection against serogroups A, C, Y, and W135.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Travel Medicine
Background:
- Meningococcal disease remains a significant global health concern.
- International travel facilitates the spread of meningococcal bacteria across continents.
- Travelers face distinct risks compared to endemic populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of meningococcal disease on international travel.
- To examine how international travel influences meningococcal spread.
- To recommend updated vaccination strategies for travelers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of meningococcal disease epidemiology and travel.
- Analysis of disease patterns in traveler populations, particularly pilgrims.
- Evaluation of vaccine efficacy and recommendations.
Main Results:
- The Hajj pilgrimage is a well-documented high-risk event for meningococcal disease.
- Recent outbreaks, notably W135, have led to vaccine requirements for specific travel.
- Increasing global reports of serogroups Y and W135 are evident.
Conclusions:
- Quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines (A/C/Y/W135) are crucial for travelers.
- A transition from bivalent (A&C) to quadrivalent vaccines is recommended for all international travelers.
- Enhanced surveillance and vaccination policies are needed to mitigate travel-related risks.