Meningococcal Meningitis

13 May 2000

JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT,

and MINISTRY OF HEALTH:

In April this year, five cases of meningococcal meningitis related to travel to Saudi Arabia were reported in Singapore. Three of the cases were caused by an uncommon strain, W 135. The World Health Organisation reported that there have been more than 300 cases of meningococcal meningitis, including over 70 deaths worldwide, since last month. The majority of confirmed cases were caused by the W135 strain. Most of these cases were persons who have returned from the Haj and their close contacts.

The cases reported in Singapore comprised four Singaporean Malays and an Australian. The foreigner developed serious complications and died. The other patients recovered and have been discharged from hospital.

Meningococcal meningitis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria infects the fluid and the covering of the brain and spinal cord. The disease is spread by respiratory droplets from an infected person. Transmission from person to person is increased in an overcrowded environment. The signs and symptoms of meningitis include high fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, discomfort when looking at bright lights and drowsiness. The disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics. However, in severe cases, complications and death may occur.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment would like to advise all returning pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to look out for signs and symptoms of the disease and to seek immediate medical attention if they are ill. All close contacts of confirmed cases of meningococcal meningitis are also advised to consult their doctors to receive a course of antibiotics.

Pilgrims going to the annual Haj are required by Saudi Arabia to be vaccinated against two strains of meningococcal meningitis (A and C), as the disease is commonly caused by these 2 major strains. However, this vaccine does not protect against the uncommon W 135 strain. In view of the recent occurrence of cases related to the uncommon W 135 strain, all travellers to Saudi Arabia are advised to be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis A and C strains, as well as the W 135 strain. This advice has also been given to Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) and the Travel Clinics at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Changi General Hospital. The combined meningococcal meningitis vaccine against the A, C and W135 strains has never been used in Singapore before. The Ministry of Health has informed the relevant agencies to make the vaccine available as soon as possible.