Preventing and controlling meningitis outbreaks

Clusters and outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occur in all parts of the world; however, major, recurring epidemics mainly affect the extensive sub-Saharan Africa region known as the “meningitis belt” (link to focus on the African belt). Pneumococcal meningitis outbreaks have been reported in the African region, but less frequently and extensively.

Meningococcal epidemics associated to mass gatherings, such as attendance at the Hajj, are also well recognized as sources of potential international dissemination.

Prevention of meningococcal cases and outbreaks, through vaccination, is the best control strategy.  Licensed vaccines against meningococcal disease have been available for more than 50 years. Vaccines are serogroup specific and the protection they confer is of varying duration, dependent on which type is used. While there have been major improvements in strain coverage and vaccine availability, to-date, no universal vaccine against meningococcal disease exists. Furthermore, access to existing vaccines remains a challenge, due to limited and unaffordable supply. The availability of an affordable conjugate vaccine against serogroup A, since 2010, has allowed the rollout of mass preventive campaigns in epidemic-prone areas of the meningitis Belt, dramatically reducing cases and outbreaks due to this serogroup. However, the risk of outbreaks due to other meningococcal serogroups continues in the region. 

Until wide-spread preventive vaccination with appropriate vaccines is enabled, control of meningococcal epidemics in the belt relies mainly on efficient surveillance for prompt outbreak detection and confirmation of the outbreak-causing pathogens, and rapid mass reactive vaccination. The key to a timely and effective response is country preparedness and rapid supply of meningococcal vaccines. WHO and partners work together to support building capacity in countries for early detection of cases, laboratory confirmation, and immediate and effective response to outbreaks in order to reduce their impact. Through the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision for Epidemic Meningitis Control (ICG), WHO and partners manage and coordinate the provision of emergency vaccine supplies and antibiotics to countries during major outbreaks.  

Invasive meningococcal disease outbreak toolbox

The new roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030 calls for the elimination of meningitis epidemics by 2030, as one of its visionary goals. Through this roadmap, WHO and partners will support countries to achieve this goal, by enabling the development, enhanced access and coverage of affordable vaccines, effective prophylactic strategies and targeted interventions.