Over the last ten years, meningitis epidemics have cropped up all over the world, though they occur most commonly in the 26 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa that make up the “Meningitis Belt” (WHO, 2021). This September, the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared an outbreak in its north-eastern Tshopo Province, where 261 suspected cases and 129 deaths had been reported (WHO DRC, 2021). Epidemics strike fast, are unpredictable, and cause massive disruptions to communities and health systems. Despite successful efforts to control the infection, it persists as a major public health issue. Bacterial infection is of particular concern; “Although the main burden … is in poor countries,” says Professor Sir Brian Lockwood at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, “acute bacterial meningitis is a global problem with no country being spared its devastating impact” (WHO, 2021). 250,000 people die annually from bacterial infections, and 1 in 5 of individuals affected deal with long-term sequelae (like seizures, limb weakness, and hearing loss) (WHO, 2021).

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2020). The disease can be caused by several different factors. Doctors often divide causes into two distinct categories: the infectious form occurs when a pathogen invades the meninges, while the noninfectious form occurs because of a disease or physical injury (Villines, 2021). Bacterial, viral, and fungal meningitis all fall under the former category, and are typically contagious, while the noninfectious type is not contagious (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2020). And while it can affect anyone, the disease is most common in infants, young children, teenagers, and young adults — immunocompromised individuals are also particularly vulnerable. Symptoms often present suddenly: headache, fever, light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, and a stiff neck are just a few (Yale Medicine, 2021). And because it is a “high-risk condition,” patients usually need treatment while they wait for a definitive diagnosis – especially if they’re vulnerable to other diseases or infections (Yale Medicine, 2021). Early treatment often includes a broad-spectrum antibiotic (a combination of one or more drugs to treat different types of bacteria) and anti-viral or anti-fungal medications, if necessary. Upon definitive diagnosis and lab analysis, a more specific course of treatment can be tailored to the patient.

When it comes to prevention, vaccines are the most effective method of delivering long-lasting protection (WHO, 2021). There are several in use, including “meningococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and pneumococcal” vaccines (WHO, 2021). However, not all communities have equal access to these lifesaving vaccines; many countries have yet to introduce them into their national health programs (WHO DRC, 2021). In November 2020, the World Health Assembly (a “global health policy-setting body”) approved a roadmap for disease elimination by 2030 (WHO DRC, 2021). In September of 2021, the World Health Organization and its partners launched the strategy, formally titled the “Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030” (WHO, 2021). The plan has three key objectives: to eliminate bacterial epidemics, and to halve cases and reduce deaths by 70% overall. These goals will also help reduce post-disease disability (WHO DRC, 2021). It is time to “tackle meningitis globally once and for all,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “by expanding access to existing tools like vaccines, spearheading new research and innovation to prevent [the disease], … and improving rehabilitation for those affected” (WHO, 2021).

References

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020, October 1). Meningitis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350508.

Villines, Z. (2021, June 20). How does a person get meningitis? Medical News Today.

Villines, Z. (2021, June 23). What to know about the different types of meningitis. Medical News Today.

World Health Organization DRC. (2021, September 8). Democratic Republic of the Congo declares meningitis outbreak in north-eastern province. WHO Regional Office for Africa. https://www.afro.who.int/news/democratic-republic-congo-declares-meningitis-outbreak-north-eastern-province-0.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2021, September 28). Meningitis Fact Sheet. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/meningitis.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2021, September 28). WHO and partners call for urgent action on meningitis. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-09-2021-who-and-partners-call-for-urgent-action-on-meningitis.

Yale Medicine. (2021). Meningitis: An Overview. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/meningitis-overview.