Emergence of W135 Meningococcal Disease. Report of a WHO Consultation, Geneva, 17-18 September 2001  

Executive summary

Introduction

Endemic/epidemic patterns of meningococcal disease

Evidence of emergence of serogroup W135 in association with epidemics in the African meningitis belt

Possible strategies to be adopted to protect Hajjis and their close contacts: recommendations

Implications of current evidence for strategies to control epidemics in the meningitis belt: recommendations for strategy and for operational research

Implications for supply and cost of any recommendation to use tetravalent (A, C, Y, W135) meningococcal polysacharide vaccine

Overall recommendations

Proposed plan of action

Agenda

List of participants

Global epidemiology of meningococcal disease, by Nancy Rosenstein  

Characteristics of different strains and factors contributing to their virulence, by David Stephens, MD

Outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2001, by Mary Ramsay, (Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS))

Outbreak in Europe in 2001, by Anne Perrocheau, WHO Consultant