Reisegesundheit
Meningokokken
Meningococcal meningitis is a disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus). The best-known types are A, B, C, W and Y.
Quelle: Nationales Koordinationszentrum für Reisegesundheit (LCR). Zuletzt aktualisiert 4. April 2024 · LCR-Seite öffnen
What is Meningokokken?
According to LCR (Dutch travel advice)
Meningococcal meningitis is a disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus). The best-known types are A, B, C, W and Y.
The disease occurs worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa there are epidemics in the dry season, mainly type A and increasingly type W135. Outbreaks also occur elsewhere from time to time.
You can catch it through the air from someone who talks, coughs or sneezes, or through direct contact such as kissing on the mouth.
If you become ill, it is usually a few days after infection. It starts like flu with high fever, muscle pain, vomiting, headache and a stiff neck: pain when you bend your head. The disease can be very serious, and sometimes fatal.
There is a vaccine against types A, C, W135 and Y (ACW135Y). Since May 2018, children in the Netherlands receive this vaccination at 14 months and 14 years. Ask a travel clinic whether vaccination is needed, for example for a longer stay in a country where meningitis is common. For travellers on pilgrimage to Mecca this vaccination is required.
According to WHO
- Bacterial meningitis is life-threatening. Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is one of the four main causes.
- The highest burden is in the African meningitis belt, from Senegal to Ethiopia, with recurrent epidemics.
- Vaccines exist against meningococcal types A, C, W, Y, X and B; there is no universal vaccine against all types.
According to the Dutch national immunisation programme
- The bacterium usually sits in the nose and throat. You often do not become ill, but you can still infect others by coughing, sneezing or kissing.
- Meningitis kills 5 to 10% of patients; severe blood poisoning kills 20 to 50%.
- Toddlers at 14 months and teenagers at 14 years get MenACWY. Meningococcal B is not in the national programme.
Allgemeine Empfehlungen
Abhängig von Ihrer Reise
Häufig gestellte Fragen
- What is Meningokokken?
- Meningococcal meningitis is a disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus). The best-known types are A, B, C, W and Y.
- Which countries is Meningokokken relevant for?
- LCR mentions Meningokokken for 30 destinations, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Zentralafrikanische Republik, Kongo-Kinshasa. Open a country for the full advice.
- Is vaccination against Meningokokken required?
- For some destinations Meningokokken may be required for entry. Always check the country page and the latest entry rules.
- Wann sollte ich Reiseimpfungen bekommen?
- Vereinbaren Sie 4 bis 6 Wochen vor Abreise einen Termin in einer Reiseimpfklinik. Einige Impfungen erfordern mehr als eine Dosis.
Speichere alle Reiseimpfungen in Vaxy
Erhalte Erinnerungen, trage einen digitalen Nachweis bei dir und teile Daten mit Mitreisenden, alles in einer App.
