Persistence of W135 Neisseria meningitidis carriage in returning Hajj pilgrims: risk for early and late transmission to household contacts

Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 Jan;9(1):123-6. doi: 10.3201/eid0901.020131.

Abstract

After an outbreak of meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis W135, associated with the Hajj pilgrimage in 2001, 15% of returning vaccinated pilgrims carried a single W135 clone, and 55% were still carriers 6 months later. Transmission to 8% of their unvaccinated household contacts occurred within the first few weeks, but no late transmission took place. Public health interventions are needed to protect household contacts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anniversaries and Special Events
  • Carrier State / microbiology*
  • Carrier State / transmission
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Family Health*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Islam*
  • Male
  • Meningococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Meningococcal Infections / transmission*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neisseria meningitidis*
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Travel*