3 February 2005: Meningococcal meningitis in the Philippines

The World Health Organization is actively investigating meningococcal-like illness in the Cordillera Region and Baguio City, in the north of the Philippine island of Luzon.

Since 1 October 2004 there have been a total of 98 cases; 74 from Baguio City, 22 from Mt. Province and 2 from Ifugao. There have been a total of 32 deaths.

Neisseria meningitidis A has been confirmed in a number of cases. Disease activity appears to be ongoing.

In the meantime it may be prudent for travellers to Baguio City who will be in close contact with the local population to consider vaccination with the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine, A/C/W135Y.

Further information about meningococcal disease can be found here.