May 30, 2024

Meningococcal Disease Cases Linked to Travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) has issued a Health Advisory to alert health care providers to cases of meningococcal disease linked to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca which may be performed at any time of year. The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage which will take place June 14-19, 2024.

Since April 2024, 12 cases of meningococcal disease have been linked to travel to KSA for Umrah. These cases were identified in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. None were in Maine residents. Of these 12 cases, 10 were in patients who traveled to KSA, and 2 were in patients who had close contact with travelers to KSA. At least nine patients were unvaccinated. At least three isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin.

Meningococcal disease (Neisseria meningitidis, invasive) is immediately reportable to Maine CDC upon recognition or strong suspicion of disease. To contact Maine CDC, please call the 24/7 disease reporting number at 800-821-5821.

Advisory (PDF)