The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled its first-ever global guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of meningitis, a critical step in the global fight against one of the most dangerous infectious diseases. The new guidelines aim to accelerate diagnosis, ensure timely and effective treatment, and improve long-term care for those affected.
Despite the availability of effective treatments and vaccines for some types of meningitis, the disease remains a significant global health threat. Bacterial meningitis, the most severe form, can kill within 24 hours and was responsible for approximately 240,000 deaths in 2019. That year alone saw an estimated 2.5 million global cases, including 1.6 million caused by bacterial pathogens.
The WHO’s new guidelines consolidate the latest evidence-based recommendations to help health systems respond more effectively to the disease. “Bacterial meningitis kills one in six of the people it strikes, and leaves many others with lasting health challenges,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Implementing these new guidelines will help save lives, improve long-term care for those affected by meningitis, and strengthen health systems.”
Meningitis affects people of all ages and geographies, but low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt of its impact. Particularly vulnerable is the sub-Saharan African region known as the “meningitis belt,” which experiences recurrent large-scale epidemics of meningococcal meningitis.
Beyond the immediate health risks, meningitis also carries long-term consequences. About 20% of those who survive bacterial meningitis suffer from complications such as hearing loss, cognitive disabilities, or motor impairments. These aftereffects impose significant social and economic burdens on individuals, families, and communities.
The WHO guidelines emphasize early diagnosis, use of appropriate antibiotics, follow-up care, and rehabilitation services. They also serve as a critical tool in achieving the global goal of defeating meningitis by 2030—a key pillar in WHO’s broader initiative to reduce preventable deaths and improve quality of life globally.
By providing a comprehensive framework, the WHO aims to support countries in mitigating the burden of meningitis and safeguarding the health of future generations.
