A warning has been issued after an outbreak of a rare bacterial illness than can cause deadly meningitis among Brits returning from abroad.
Three people have so far tested positive for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) after returning to the UK from Saudi Arabia.
The bacteria can cause meningitis, with symptoms such as fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting. It also can cause bloodstream infection Septicaemia with such symptoms as chills, fatigue, rapid breathing, diarrhea or a dark purple rash.
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Travel Health Pro, an arm of the UK’s Department of Health, said 12 cases head been reported worldwide, mainly from people performing the Islamic pilgrimage of Umrah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)
The latest figures show three cases were confirmed in the UK, four from France and five in the the United States. The majority of cases belong to meningococcus serogroup W and have no history of vaccination, it said.
The trip is seen as a spiritual journey for Muslims, allowing them to pray, receive blessings and ask for forgiveness from God in what it considered to be the most sacred place in the religion.
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Wolverhampton Council has urged residents making the pilgrimage to get vaccinated if they are planning to make the trip.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal said: “Large gatherings like Hajj and Umrah are associated with unique health risks and travellers should make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations as well as ensuring they practice good general health measures, such as regular hand washing with soap and water, to reduce the spread of infections.
“In particular, it’s crucial that pilgrims have had their Men ACWY vaccine within the correct timescales, as they will be at increased risk of this particular infection due to the crowded conditions and possible close contact with people from countries with higher rates of meningococcal disease that they will experience on the pilgrimage.”
The infection can be treated with antibiotics, but quick treatment is essential. An estimated 10% to 15% of infected people die, and survivors sometimes suffer deafness or amputations.
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