The World Health Organization reports about 500, 000 meningococcal meningitis cases each year.
In Europe and the United States, most cases of meningococcal meningitis are given by serotypes B and C, while in the other continents serotypes Y, A and W135 are still present and active.
The highest rates of the disease in the world are recorded in the " meningitis belt " (band of meningitis), an area that includes the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal-Gambia in the west, to Ethiopia-Kenya in the east, via the Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. In this area, the disease is endemic and the dry season (November-June) favors its spread.
For travelers in areas considered to be at risk, vaccination prophylaxis is strongly recommended, especially if there is a likelihood of prolonged contact with the local population.
