Well being officers have issued a warning over a surge in a doubtlessly deadly bacterial illness arriving on British shores.
5 circumstances of Meningitis W have been confirmed between February and March, in keeping with the UK Well being Safety Company.
All sufferers had both not too long ago returned from an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, or had members of the family who had.
The an infection impacts the protecting membranes surrounding the mind and spinal wire and might result in everlasting incapacity and even dying.
Meningitis W spreads primarily by shut contact with contaminated people by way of droplets from the nostril and mouth, reminiscent of coughing, sneezing or kissing.
Preliminary signs might seem flu-like, however with out fast remedy, the illness can rapidly become life-threatening septicaemia, or blood poisoning.
Inside hours, this could result in severe issues together with mind harm, seizures, and dying, probably leaving survivors with long-term disabilities reminiscent of listening to loss, mind harm and limb amputations.
Guide Epidemiologist at UKHSA Dr Shamez Ladhani stated: "Vaccination is crucial for pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia, notably given latest circumstances amongst UK returnees and their households.
"Meningococcal illness may be deadly and will depart survivors with severe lifelong situations together with listening to loss, mind harm and limb amputations."
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Well being officers are urging Britons to make sure they've had the meningitis vaccine to forestall an infection, particularly these planning journeys to Saudi Arabia.
The vaccine must be administered no less than ten days earlier than journey.
Dr Ladhani suggested: "Pilgrims ought to stay vigilant for signs like sudden fever, extreme headache, stiff neck, or rash.
"Should you or anybody at dwelling turns into unwell with any signs of meningitis inside two weeks of getting back from Saudi Arabia, contact your GP or NHS 111, mentioning your latest journey historical past, or dial 999 in case of emergency."
Because the an infection progresses, extra extreme indicators might embrace extreme aches in muscle mass, joints, chest or stomach, a darkish purple rash and fast respiratory.
Dr Sahira Dar, President of the British Islamic Medical Affiliation, added: "Thousands and thousands of individuals collect in shut proximity throughout the pilgrimages, in lodging, and on public transport, rising the chance of contracting infectious illnesses like meningitis."
The affiliation "extremely recommends" anybody attending the pilgrimages get the meningitis vaccine, recognized medically because the MenACWY vaccine.
The jab affords safety in opposition to 4 sorts of micro organism that may trigger meningitis: meningococcal teams A, C, W and Y.
Meningitis W is one in every of seven completely different meningococcal micro organism that may trigger the illness, accounting for round seven per cent of all UK circumstances.
The vaccine is routinely supplied to youngsters aged 14 years previous within the UK, accessible to individuals as much as the age of 25 who’ve by no means had a meningitis vaccine earlier than.