Foreign Office issues warning over spread of bacterial infection in the UK

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a warning after more than 14 cases of meningococcal disease were detected in those who were returning from Saudi Arabia after undertaking the Umrah pilgrimage. The Travel Health Pro website which is supported by the FCO listed down these cases and revealed that as of June 21, a total of 5 such cases were reported from the US, four in France, three in the UK and one each in Norway and in the Netherlands. The situation is being monitored by the health authorities in the UK. Invasive meningococcal disease is a significant cause of meningitis and septicaemia. It is a bacterial infection which results in the death in one among ten cases.

Meningitis:

There are three main symptoms including fever, headache and neck stiffness. It is also accompanied by altered mental status, nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity.

Meningococcal sepsis:

This is a bit more serious with fatality rate going up to 40%. It is characterized by fever, petechial rash which often comes with septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation leading to organ failures. The survivors may suffer from neurological disorders, hearing impairments and amputation in 20% of the cases.

Warning by the Ministry of Health:

The Ministry has issued a warning and also offered some guidelines for the general population. These include wearing of masks, washing hands with a soap before consuming any food, ensuring that food is thoroughly cooked and also using disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing and ensuring its proper disposal.

Saudi Arabia:

It has been reported that over 1300 pilgrims have died to heatwave like conditions during the Hajj pilgrimage.

FAQs
Is Meningitis contagious?
It can spread from an infected person to a healthy person. It can spread through direct contact with saliva, nasal mucus or faeces.

What is septicaemia in simple terms?
In simple words, it can be described as blood poisoning. When chemicals are released into the blood stream to fight an infection, it can cause many changes. When large amounts of bacteria enter the blood stream, it causes septicaemia.