A recent warning has been issued regarding the rise in cases of a dangerous disease affecting individuals returning to the UK. According to the Travel Health Pro website supported by the Foreign Office, there have been 14 reported instances of invasive meningococcal disease in individuals returning from Saudi Arabia, with cases identified in the United States, France, the UK, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Invasive meningococcal disease is a severe condition that can lead to meningitis and septicaemia, with a mortality rate of approximately one in ten individuals affected. The disease is caused by bacteria that swiftly invade the body, resulting in a severe bacterial infection.

Symptoms of meningitis typically include fever, headache, and neck stiffness, often accompanied by altered mental status, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. On the other hand, meningococcal sepsis, characterized by fever and a rash, can lead to septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiple organ failure, with a mortality rate of up to 40%.

Survivors of meningococcal disease may experience long-term consequences such as neurological and hearing impairment or even amputation in some cases, as reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.