Imported meningitis case in Milan

A 55-year-old female patient was admitted to the Sacco Hospital in Milan with symptoms consistent with invasive meningococcal disease, for which group W serum was suspected in the assessment phase, and with septic shock. The patient had returned from a trip to Egypt, during which she had experienced symptoms for approximately fifteen days. However, these symptoms were initially misinterpreted as flu-like, including nausea, vomiting, fever, and headache. The health authorities conducted an epidemiological investigation and notified the Italian Ministry of Health, taking into account the country of origin of the suspected infection. Meanwhile, the patient’s contacts were treated prophylactically following ministerial protocols. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported meningococcal disease outbreaks in Saudi Arabia as early as last May, and there may be additional risk areas given the importance of international mobility. Giorgio Gori, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Sacco Hospital, emphasised the importance of citizens who intend to travel abroad contacting an International Vaccination Centre and having all necessary vaccinations assessed according to the characteristics of the journey.