2 August 2005: Meningococcal meningitis in the Philippines

On 3 February 2005 NaTHNaC reported on an outbreak of a meningococcal-like illness in the Baguio city and the Cordillera Administrative Region in the Philippine island of Luzon:

www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/clinical_updates/meningitis

_philippines.htm. Many of these cases had been confirmed as caused by Neiserria meningitidis.

Recent communication from medical personnel at the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office (WHO-WPRO) suggests that this outbreak continues. 10 new cases and 2 deaths were reported between 3 and 9 July 2005 in the Cordillera Region. This brings the total number of cases since September 2004 to 376, with 81 deaths (CFR 22%).

In view of the apparent continuation of cases, travellers to affected areas of Baguio City and the Cordillera Region who will be in close contact with local populations may consider vaccination with the quadrivalent meningococcal ACW135Y vaccine.

Further information about meningococcal meningitis can be found here.