While five cases of meningitis, including two mortals, have been identified since January 1 in the Alpes-Maritimes, the authorities have made infants compulsory vaccination against certain strains.
- Since the beginning of the year, five cases of meningitis have been reported in the Alpes-Maritimes, including two mortals, in a national context of resurgence of meningococcal infections. In 2023, these infections had already increased by 72 %.
- The disease, caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, is transmitted by close contact and manifests itself by fever, intense headaches and vomiting. Meningococcal infections can lead to death with a 10 %mortality rate.
- Faced with this increase, the health authorities have made infant vaccination compared to serogroups B and A, C, W, Y, and strengthened prevention.
The Alpes-Maritimes have been alerted after detecting five cases of meningitis since the beginning of 2025, two of which were fatal. This was announced on Friday the Regional Health Agency (ARS) Provence-Alpes-Côtes-d’Azur, confirming information from the site Nice news. This specifies that within the PACA region, the Bouches-du-Rhône are also affected, with thirteen cases identified since January 1. This rebound has worried health authorities when France has experienced a continuous increase in meningococcal infections for several years.
An increase in cases since 2023
In 2023, According to Public Health France560 cases of invasive meningococcal infections were reported, an increase of 72 % compared to 2022. This trend continued in 2024, which “Make this year that with the highest number of cases for twenty years”according to the infectiologist Muhamed-Kheir Taha, specialist at the Institut Pasteur, interviewed by AFP.
Known as meningitis, this infection is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidismainly serogroups A, B, C, W and Y. It is transmitted by air or by saliva, but requires close and prolonged contact. “Meningitis is an infection of the spinal cord and envelopes surrounding the brain, the meninges, caused by several types of viruses, bacteria and fungi”,, Recalls the Pasteur Institute.
A strengthening of vaccination
How to recognize the signs? The disease manifests itself by fever, intense headaches and vomiting. “A high and poorly tolerated fever as well as one or more red or purplish spots of rapid appearance (purpura) must alert”specifies the ARS PACA. Other symptoms may include a stiff neck, intolerance to light, consciousness disorders and, in the most serious cases, convulsions. Meningococcal infections can lead to death with a 10 %mortality rate.
Faced with this resurgence of cases, the High Authority for Health (HAS) has made the vaccination of infants compulsory, since January 1 “This vaccination is now required for the entry into community”underlines the ARS PACA. This measure aims to protect the most vulnerable populations and limit the spread of the virus. Always to curb this progression, the health authorities have also intensified their prevention and awareness actions. Note that any invasive meningococcal infection must be declared to ARS PACA.
