A new warning has been issued as more cases of a potentially deadly disease have been found in Brits returning home. The Foreign Office-supported Travel Health Pro website revealed that 14 instances of the fatal meningococcal disease have been identified in people coming back from Saudi Arabia, including some in the UK.

The site disclosed that as of 21 June 2024, a total of 14 cases of invasive meningococcal disease have been reported in the United States with five cases, France with four, the UK with three, and Norway and the Netherlands each with one case. These were found in travellers or contacts of travellers who returned from the Umrah pilgrimage.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a significant cause of meningitis and septicaemia. The illness often progresses rapidly, with around one in ten succumbing to it. The bacteria invade the body, causing an acute severe bacterial infection.

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Meningitis often presents with a trio of symptoms: fever, headache and neck stiffness. It's frequently accompanied by other signs such as altered mental status, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light.

Meningococcal sepsis, characterised by fever and a petechial or purpuric rash, often comes with septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure. This condition has a fatality rate of up to 40%.

Survivors may suffer from neurological and hearing impairment or amputation in up to 20% of cases, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Reports have emerged of over 900 deaths at the Hajj due to severe heatwaves. The Ministry of Health has issued advice for pilgrims, including:

  • wearing facemasks in crowded areas
  • frequent hand washing with soap and water or disinfectant, particularly after coughing, sneezing, using the toilet, before handling food, and after touching animals
  • using disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing and disposing of them properly
  • avoiding contact with sick individuals and not sharing personal items
  • steering clear of camels in farms, markets, or barns
  • refraining from consuming unpasteurised milk or raw meat or animal products that haven't been thoroughly cooked, as well as taking measures to prevent insect bites.

Saudi Arabian authorities have banned travellers arriving for Hajj from bringing food unless it's properly canned or sealed. Those arriving in areas near Hajj locations for pilgrimage, seasonal work or other reasons are advised to:

  • wash hands before and after eating and after using the toilet
  • clean and wash fresh vegetables and fruit
  • thoroughly cook food and store it at a safe temperature