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Rachel V Thomas

Meningitis claimed 259,000 lives globally in 2023: The Lancet

Meningitis – the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining – has claimed 259,000 lives worldwide in 2023, according to a new study, published in The Lancet Neurology.

A total of 2.5 million people globally were infected with meningitis, which is also the leading infectious cause of neurological disabilities.

Importantly, children accounted for a third of the deaths, many of which were in Africa, according to research that described itself as the most comprehensive global assessment of meningitis yet.

The study comes amidst a “unprecedented” <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/why-is-meningitis-making-a-comeback-in-the-uk-expert-explains-article-153862274" data-type="tilCustomLink">meningitis outbreak in the UK’s Kent</a>, where two people died, and many were infected.

<h2>Meningitis: Achieving WHO 2030 goals</h2>

According to the study, global vaccination campaigns since 2000, played a significant role in reducing the number of infections and deaths by bacterial meningitis, in both high-income and low-income countries.

The Global Burden of Disease study led by an international team of researchers led by those from the University of Washington, showed that although mortality and incidence have declined significantly since 1990, progress is insufficient to meet the WHO 2030 targets.

The WHO targets a 50 percent reduction in meningitis infections and 70 percent reduction in deaths by 2030. However, a substantial meningitis burden persists. It also lags behind other vaccine-preventable diseases. 

The driving factor are:<ul><li>common pathogens such as S pneumoniae and N meningitidis </li><li>emerging non-bacterial pathogens such as Candida spp </li><li>drug-resistant fungi.</li></ul>“Achieving WHO goals will require sustained investment in surveillance, vaccination, maternal screening, and health-system strengthening, especially in high-burden settings,” the researchers said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/kent-meningitis-outbreak-bacterial-meningitis-may-cause-long-term-fatigue-vision-problems-raise-suicide-risk-study-article-153904134" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bacterial Meningitis May Cause Long-term Fatigue, Vision Problems, Raise Suicide Risk: Study</a>

Meningitis is a serious medical condition that affects the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, the meninges. While fever is not always present, it is usually considered as one of the classic symptoms of meningitis. 

It is important to know the varied symptoms, causes, and treatments of meningitis for early diagnosis and proper management of the disease.

Meningitis is an infectious illness that brings about inflammation in the meninges. The most common cause of such inflammation is bacterial or viral infections, though other causes are also possible including fungal, parasitic, or non-infectious causes (autoimmune disease, head injury, or brain surgery). 

Meningitis may also be caused by bacterial meningitis, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates can be so severe and bring about conditions like hearing loss, vision problems, and death if not received on time.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/meningitis-risk-5-surprising-ways-you-can-contract-the-infection-article-153865276" data-type="tilCustomLink">From Vaping to Worm Attack: 5 Unimaginable Ways to Contract Meningitis</a>

As per the Lancet study, the greatest risk factors for deaths was 

<ul><li>low birthweight</li><li>premature birth </li><li>air pollution (both household and atmospheric).</li></ul>The study also noted disproportionately high disease burden in low-income countries, particularly in the African meningitis belt, where Nigeria, Chad, and Niger recorded the highest death and infection rates.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, non-polio enteroviruses, and other viruses were the leading causes of death, while non-polio enteroviruses caused the most cases.

To achieve further reductions in the disease globally, the researchers called for greater efforts, including:

<ul><li>expanding vaccination programs,</li><li>greater antibiotic stewardship, </li><li>improving access to care, </li><li>strengthening diagnostics and monitoring for meningitis.</li></ul>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/unique-symptoms-of-meningitis-that-has-caused-an-outbreak-in-kent-university-article-153862730" data-type="tilCustomLink">Unique Symptoms Of Meningitis That Caused An Outbreak In Kent University</a>

<ul><li>Rash</li><li>Headaches </li><li>Neck stiffness </li><li>Fever </li><li>Drowsiness </li><li>Nausea or vomiting </li><li>Increased sensitivity to light.</li></ul>

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Meningitis – the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining – has claimed 259,000 lives worldwide in 2023, according to a new study, published in The Lancet Neurology. A total of 2.5 million people globally were infected with meningitis, which is also the leading infectious cause of neurological disabilities. Importantly, children accounted for a third of the deaths, many of which were in Africa, according to research that described itself as the most comprehensive global assessment of meningitis yet. The study comes amidst a “unprecedented” meningitis outbreak in the UK’s Kent, where two people died, and many were infected. Meningitis: Achieving WHO 2030 goals According to the study, global vaccination campaigns since 2000, played a significant role in reducing the number of infections and deaths by bacterial meningitis, in both high-income and low-income countries. The Global Burden of Disease study led by an international team of researchers led by those from the University of Washington, showed that although mortality and incidence have declined significantly since 1990, progress is insufficient to meet the WHO 2030 targets. The WHO targets a 50 percent reduction in meningitis infections and 70 percent reduction in deaths by 2030. However, a substantial meningitis burden persists. It also lags behind other vaccine-preventable diseases. The driving factor are:common pathogens such as S pneumoniae and N meningitidis emerging non-bacterial pathogens such as Candida spp drug-resistant fungi.“Achieving WHO goals will require sustained investment in surveillance, vaccination, maternal screening, and health-system strengthening, especially in high-burden settings,” the researchers said.Also read: Bacterial Meningitis May Cause Long-term Fatigue, Vision Problems, Raise Suicide Risk: Study What Is Meningitis? Meningitis is a serious medical condition that affects the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, the meninges. While fever is not always present, it is usually considered as one of the classic symptoms of meningitis. It is important to know the varied symptoms, causes, and treatments of meningitis for early diagnosis and proper management of the disease. Meningitis is an infectious illness that brings about inflammation in the meninges. The most common cause of such inflammation is bacterial or viral infections, though other causes are also possible including fungal, parasitic, or non-infectious causes (autoimmune disease, head injury, or brain surgery). Meningitis may also be caused by bacterial meningitis, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates can be so severe and bring about conditions like hearing loss, vision problems, and death if not received on time. Also read: From Vaping to Worm Attack: 5 Unimaginable Ways to Contract MeningitisMeningitis: Risk factors As per the Lancet study, the greatest risk factors for deaths was low birthweightpremature birth air pollution (both household and atmospheric).The study also noted disproportionately high disease burden in low-income countries, particularly in the African meningitis belt, where Nigeria, Chad, and Niger recorded the highest death and infection rates. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, non-polio enteroviruses, and other viruses were the leading causes of death, while non-polio enteroviruses caused the most cases. To achieve further reductions in the disease globally, the researchers called for greater efforts, including:expanding vaccination programs,greater antibiotic stewardship, improving access to care, strengthening diagnostics and monitoring for meningitis.Also read: Unique Symptoms Of Meningitis That Caused An Outbreak In Kent University Common Symptoms Of MeningitisRashHeadaches Neck stiffness Fever Drowsiness Nausea or vomiting Increased sensitivity to light.

meningitis claimed 259,000 lives globally in 2023: the lancet

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Meningitis claimed 259,000 lives globally in 2023: The Lancet

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