In a significant step towards defeating one of the world’s most devastating infectious diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever global guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of meningitis. The newly published framework aims to improve early detection, ensure timely and effective treatment, and enhance long-term care for those affected.
Despite the availability of vaccines and treatments for some forms of the disease, meningitis continues to pose a substantial threat to global health. Bacterial meningitis, the deadliest type, can prove fatal within just 24 hours of symptom onset. In 2019 alone, there were approximately 2.5 million reported cases of meningitis worldwide, including 1.6 million bacterial cases, which led to around 240,000 deaths.
Compounding the danger, about one in five survivors of bacterial meningitis is left with lasting health issues, such as neurological damage or physical disabilities. The disease also imposes serious economic and social burdens on individuals, families, and healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The newly released guidelines offer comprehensive recommendations for managing acute community-acquired meningitis in children over one month of age, adolescents, and adults. These recommendations cover all aspects of clinical care — from diagnosis and antibiotic therapy to supportive treatment and the management of long-term complications. The guidelines also apply to both bacterial and viral forms of the disease and are tailored to suit a variety of healthcare settings, including those with limited resources.
Special attention has been given to epidemic-prone areas, particularly the so-called “meningitis belt” in sub-Saharan Africa, where recurring outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis continue to claim lives and strain health systems. The new framework replaces earlier WHO guidance issued in 2014 and offers updated strategies for handling meningitis outbreaks more effectively.
Healthcare providers at various levels — from emergency rooms to outpatient clinics — are the primary users of the new guidelines. However, they are also intended to support decision-making by policymakers, health planners, academic institutions, and civil society organizations involved in research, training, and advocacy.
This initiative aligns with the broader “Defeating Meningitis by 2030” Global Roadmap adopted by WHO member states in 2020. The roadmap sets ambitious targets: eliminating bacterial meningitis epidemics, cutting vaccine-preventable cases by half, reducing deaths by 70%, and improving life quality for survivors.
To reach these goals, the WHO outlines five key strategic pillars:
- Improved Diagnosis and Treatment – Promoting quicker detection and more effective clinical care.
- Prevention and Epidemic Response – Advancing vaccine development and outbreak preparedness.
- Strengthened Surveillance – Enhancing disease monitoring to guide policy and action.
- Support for Survivors – Expanding access to care and rehabilitation for long-term effects.
- Advocacy and Awareness – Boosting political commitment and public understanding of meningitis.
By offering a practical, evidence-based approach, the new guidelines aim to bridge critical gaps in care and prevention, particularly in countries most affected by the disease. WHO hopes the global health community will now be better equipped to reduce the devastating impact of meningitis and move closer to the shared goal of defeating the disease by 2030.
