Meningococcal meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis clinical and global spread profile: 36 countries, 89 WHO outbreak events since 1996.
Meningococcal meningitis · ICD-10 A390 · ICD-11 1C1C · 89 WHO events across 36 countries (1996–2025).
Top affected countries
| Country | Region | Events | % of global |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burkina Faso | AFR | 7 | 8% |
| Nigeria | AFR | 7 | 8% |
| Niger | AFR | 7 | 8% |
| Sudan | EMR | 6 | 7% |
| Chad | AFR | 6 | 7% |
| Ethiopia | AFR | 4 | 4% |
| Congo Democratic Republic of the | AFR | 4 | 4% |
| Benin | AFR | 4 | 4% |
| Central African Republic | AFR | 3 | 3% |
| Mali | AFR | 3 | 3% |
| Côte d'Ivoire | AFR | 3 | 3% |
| Spain | EUR | 2 | 2% |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | EUR | 2 | 2% |
| Angola | AFR | 2 | 2% |
| Togo | AFR | 2 | 2% |
Distribution by WHO region
| Region | Events | Share |
|---|---|---|
| AFR | 67 | 75% |
| EMR | 10 | 11% |
| EUR | 8 | 9% |
| WPR | 3 | 3% |
| AMR | 1 | 1% |
Annual outbreak timeline
| Year | Events | Countries |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 | 2 |
| 2013 | 5 | 5 |
| 2012 | 10 | 10 |
| 2011 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 | 3 |
| 2008 | 11 | 11 |
| 2007 | 4 | 4 |
| 2006 | 7 | 7 |
| 2005 | 2 | 2 |
| 2004 | 4 | 4 |
| 2003 | 2 | 2 |
| 2002 | 6 | 6 |
| 2001 | 13 | 13 |
| 2000 | 6 | 6 |
| 1999 | 6 | 6 |
| 1997 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 | 1 |
Peak year: 2001 (13 events).
Decade summary
| Decade | Events |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 8 |
| 2000s | 58 |
| 2010s | 22 |
| 2020s | 1 |
WHO case definition
A condition of the meninges, caused by an infection with the gram-negative bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. This condition is characterised by high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, vomiting, purpura, photophobia, and sometimes chills, altered mental status, or seizures. Transmission is through haematogenous spread to the meninges after droplet transmission or direct contact. Confirmation is by identification of Neisseria meningitidis through a lumbar puncture, agglutination tests, or polymerase chain reaction.
Countries Affected
36
Outbreak Events
89
Year Range
1996–2025
ICD-10 A390
Meningococcal meningitis
Visualization
Global Prevalence Snapshot
Based on WHO Disease Outbreak News events (1996–2025).
Risk Level
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