Chile: Meningococcal Meningitis

According to the Chilean Ministry of Health there has been an increase in meningococcal meningitis cases since August 2012.  A meningococcal vaccination campaign has been launched for children aged 9 months to 4 years. There have been more than 90 cases, including 21 deaths, reported mostly in the Metropolitan and Valparaiso regions.  The incidence report is below the threshold of a generalized epidemic.

Travel risk is minimal, however long-stay children that are in significant contact with local children in those affected areas should be considered for vaccination.