What is it?
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by a bacterium: the meningococcus. There are several types of this bacterium. Meningococcal disease has two forms: meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) and blood poisoning (sepsis). Meningococcal disease occurs throughout the world, including in the Netherlands.
In meningococcal meningitis the symptoms are a high fever with chills, vomiting, headache, muscle pain and a stiff neck. The disease can take a severe course and may be fatal.
In meningococcal blood poisoning the symptoms are drowsiness and a high fever, accompanied by bleeding under the skin that appears as reddish-purple spots on the skin.
How do you catch it?
Anyone can develop meningococcal disease. It is most common in young children and young adults. Infection can occur when you inhale droplets containing the bacterium almost directly, when someone sneezes or coughs in your face, talks to you, or has other direct contact with you. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 4 days after infection.
How do you prevent it?
You can prevent infection with the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease through vaccination. There are several types of vaccine, because there are several types of the bacterium and meningococci come in different types. Vaccination providing protection against one type (type C) is part of the Dutch National Immunisation Programme. This offers long-lasting protection, possibly for life. You can also be vaccinated at Amsterdam Travel Clinic against certain other types if you are eligible. This is a single vaccination which protects for at least three years. You should receive the vaccination at least ten days before departure. In addition to vaccination, you can prevent infection through good coughing and sneezing hygiene.
In addition to the conditions at your destination, your personal situation and travel plans are variables that have a decisive influence on the preparations you may wish, or be required, to make before you travel. At Amsterdam Travel Clinic you can obtain expert travel medicine advice and the vaccinations mentioned above. We keep this vaccination in stock.
The above description is only a general, brief and simplified account and is provided for information purposes only. No rights may be derived from it. Personal advice is provided solely during a consultation with the specially trained Certified Travel Medicine Physician or Travel Medicine Assistant.