Cases of Meningococcal Disease Associated with Travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah Pilgrimage - United States, United Kingdom, and France, 2024

Published on 6 June 2024 Updated on 6 July 2026

What is already known about this topic? Outbreaks of meningococcal disease can occur in conjunction with large gatherings, including Islamic Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. What is added by this report? Twelve meningococcal disease cases associated with Umrah travel to Saudi Arabia have been identified. Nine patients were unvaccinated; vaccination status of three patients was unknown. Ciprofloxacin-resistant strains were identified in three of 11 cases with available antimicrobial susceptibility testing data. What are the implications for public health practice? Pilgrims aged >=1 year entering Saudi Arabia should have received a quadrivalent meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine within the last 3-5 years (depending on vaccine type). Rifampin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin should be preferentially considered for prophylaxis of close contacts of Saudi Arabia travel–associated cases.

Author(s): Vachon Madhura S, Barret Anne-Sophie, Lucidarme Jay, Neatherlin John, Rubis Amy B, Howie Rebecca L, Sharma Shalabh, Marasini Daya, Wagle Basanta, Keating Page, Antwi Mike, Chen Judy, Gu-Templin Tingting, Gahr Pamala, Zipprich Jennifer, Dorr Franny, Kuguru Karen, Lee Sarah, Halai Umme-Aiman, Martin Brittany, Budd Jeremy, Memish Ziad, Assiri Abdullah M, Farag Noha H, Taha Muhamed-Kheir, Deghmane Ala-Eddine, Zanetti Laura, Lefrançois Rémi, Clark Stephen A, Borrow Ray, Ladhani Shamez N, Campbell Helen, Ramsay Mary, Fox LeAnne, McNamara Lucy A

Publishing year: 2024

Pages: 514-516

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