‘Get jabbed’ health chiefs warn after flu-like disease that kills in 24 hours found in travellers returning to the UK

TRAVELLERS returning to the UK have been warned of a rare bug that invades the nervous system and can turn fatal within hours.

In recent weeks the UK has reported cases of meningococcal disease in people who've returned from Saudi Arabia.

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According to the latest report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), five cases of Meningococcal Group W (MenW) were confirmed between February and March of this year.

The disease has been found in people who recently returned to the UK from Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and in their family members.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also reported 11 confirmed cases of MenW in Saudi Arabia between January 7 and March 12, all in pilgrims who had performed Umrah.

People planning on travelling to the region are now being urged to ensure they are jabbed against meningococcal disease with the MenACWY vaccine.

MenW is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It can often live harmlessly in the back of the throat without causing illness.

But in some cases, it can "invade" the body’s defences, leading to IMD infection.

When it does, it progresses rapidly, with a fatality rate of 8-15 per cent, meaning it can kill around 1 in 10 people it infects.

This is because the infection can lead to meningitis (an infection of the brain and spine’s protective lining) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

Both conditions require urgent treatment with antibiotics and rapid hospital admission as they can become fatal in a matter of hours.

Symptoms of meningococcal disease can first appear flu-like and may quickly become more severe.

Muslim pilgrims make Umrah trips to Mecca throughout the year to receive blessings.

They also undertake the larger Hajj pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime, which this year will take place from June 4 to June 9.

Due to large crowds, both Umrah and Hajj present unique health risks.

"Millions of people gather in close proximity during the pilgrimages, in accommodation, and on public transport, increasing the risk of contracting infectious diseases like meningitis," said Dr Sahira Dar, President of the British Islamic Medical Association.

"We highly recommend that everyone going on Hajj and Umrah receive their MenACWY vaccine which could protect them and their loved ones back home," she added.

Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, described the vaccination as "essential".

"Meningococcal disease can be fatal and may leave survivors with serious lifelong conditions including hearing loss, brain damage and limb amputations," she added.

She told those planning to make the pilgrimage to ensure that they were vaccinated "at least ten days before travel".

And she said they should "remain vigilant for symptoms like sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, or rash" during or after their trip.

"If you or anyone at home experiences symptoms of meningitis within two weeks of returning from Saudi Arabia, contact your GP or NHS 111, mentioning your recent travel, or dial 999 in an emergency," she added.

The UKHSA also advised travellers to reduce their risk of contracting Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - a rare but severe respiratory illness.

The virus, dubbed 'camel flu', due to being found in the animals - does circulate in the region.

The health body has urged travellers to avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products and contact with camels and animal waste.

People should also practice good hygiene, particularly washing hands after visiting farms, barns or markets, they added.

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