Meningitis Cases Prompt Health Alert for Mecca Pilgrims Returning to France

Several cases of type W meningitis have been detected in April and May in unvaccinated people returning from the pilgrimage to Mecca, which has led the Directorate General of Health under the French Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity to issue this alert to pilgrims on Friday, May 31.

"The risk of invasive meningococcal infection is known in the context of large gatherings with significant population mixing from different countries, and in conditions of promiscuity favoring the transmission of meningococci," the French authorities said, stressing the importance of vaccination and urging to "relay and reiterate these recommendations" to future Hajj pilgrims to address a "public health emergency of international concern."

This year, more than two million Muslim faithful are participating in the pilgrimage to Mecca and are exposed to the risk of contracting infectious diseases. The French Consulate in Jeddah has developed a brochure for Hajj pilgrims to encourage compliance with this recommendation. Similarly, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs has updated the "Travel Advice" section on its website to include this alert.