Rapid reporting EU surveillance system for meningitis W135: 2a: P1.2, 5 – update

After an epidemic of meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 among travellers returning from the haj pilgrimage to Mecca in 2000, an enhanced surveillance system for W135: 2a: P1.2, 5 meningococcal disease was set up among several European countries (1, and references therein). Data have been reported since September 2000, and this report summarises all confirmed cases in the period 27 October to 28 December 2001.