Meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis worldwide. And as the recent outbreak in the United States shows, it can be life-threatening.
In the US state of Virginia, health authorities have registered a "statewide meningococcal outbreak." Since June 2022, 30 people have fallen ill three times more than normal within such a period, it said.
Five people have died, according to a statement from the Department of Health.
About one in ten adults carries the meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis). Meningococci are divided into at least 12 so-called serogroups, fifrequently diagnosed, at 66%.ve of which are the cause of most diseases: A, B, C, W and Y. Serogroup "B" is the most
As long as the immune system is strong and the protection from childhood vaccinations is still working, the infection goes unnoticed. However, if the disease breaks out, it can result in damage to the brain, hearing loss or cognitive impairment.
In two-thirds of all cases, the disease progresses as meningitis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), meningococci are the most common cause of bacterial meningitis.
Especially in sub-Saharan Africa,epidemics occur repeatedly with incidence rates of up to 1,000 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Sepsis, or blood poisoning, can also be the result of an infection. In some cases, it can require a limb amputation. Such serious consequences occur in about one in five of those infected. And about 10% of meningococcal infections are fatal.