Meningitis is a preventable disease that kills 300,000 people a year

This Saturday, October 5th, World Meningitis Day, a date proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of its End Meningitis 2030 strategy, a roadmap in place from 2020 that was created to stop the very high rates of death and disability that the disease causes.

According to WHO estimates, this is a disease characterized by the fact that it is severe infection of the meninges, That is, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord affect about 2.5 million people worldwide each year and cause about 300,000 deaths. Such high numbers can be prevented in a very simple way: vaccination.

According to Dr. Marta Guillan Rodriguez, Secretary of the Critical and Intensive Neurology Research Group of the Spanish Society of Neurology, the disease can be caused by many different agents, but mainly bacteria, fungi or viruses. This disease can have devastating consequences as, when severe, it causes a mortality rate of up to 10% and serious sequelae of up to 30%.

There are several types of meningitis, but meningitis of bacterial origin is the most dangerous and causes the greatest socio-medical burden. At the same time, the doctor explains that, contrary to popular belief, this is not “a disease that has so far been defeated” and not all types are subject to epidemiological surveillance. In addition, some bacteria that cause meningitis They also tend to cause sepsis if they enter the bloodstream and affect the entire body.

How many cases occur in Spain

According to the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), about 1,000 cases of meningitis are reported every year in Spain, of which 10% are very serious. Although this disease is little known, any citizen can contract meningitis. Despite this, The risk group includes children under five years of age. especially if they are not vaccinated. It is the leading cause of death from infections among children and adolescents.

All of these signs can progress quickly and become “medical emergencies,” says Dr. Guillan. Similarly, he notes that in children, another sign that may indicate this disease is the appearance of petechiae, small red or purple spots They usually first appear on the torso and spread to the rest of the body after a short time.

Despite significant progress in recent years in reducing the incidence of meningitis, the number of annual cases may double. The same will not happen with mortality, which will decline thanks to rapid detection of the disease, prevention and treatment.

To all these consequences of the disease we must add the emotional, social and economic consequences for patients and their families. According to a recent study carried out in Spain by the Spanish Association against Meningitis, economic burden of disease On average this meant more than €11,000 per patient per year.

How is meningitis transmitted?

There are several bacteria that can cause serious meningitis, and about 20% of the population may carry some of them. Although the vast majority of these people will not develop the disease, they may pass it on to other, more vulnerable people.

These bacteria They are usually transmitted from person to person through drops of saliva or respiratory secretions. Therefore, close and prolonged contact with an infected person contributes to the spread of the disease. For this reason, the incidence of meningitis in Spain increased by 10% last year after the easing of Covid protection measures, and has risen again by 13% this year.

In this regard, the doctor acknowledges that in some cases, diagnosing meningitis can be difficult because it may initially resemble a normal infectious process, especially in adolescents and young adults. Therefore, vigilance and timely consultation with a doctor are extremely important. the first symptoms of the disease, as bacterial cases can be “fatal within days if not treated properly,” comments Dr. Marta Guillan.

On the other hand, the expert says, it is extremely important that people get vaccinated. This is a “fundamental and highly effective” treatment. Also remember that many deaths and disabilities caused by meningitis can be prevented by following General schedule of vaccinations and immunizations throughout life (Approved by the Health Commission of the Interterritorial Council of the SNA for 2024).