While anyone in any part of the world can contract meningitis, those most at risk are children under five, teenagers and young adults and older people. In recent years, the most affected countries have been Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which are located in the so-called 'meningitis belt', which stretches across Sub Saharan Africa from Ethiopia in the east to Senegal in the west. Epidemics occur in the dry season in this area. The WHO estimates that at least 1.2 million cases of bacterial meningitis occur every year, and 135,000 of these are fatal, although this figure does not include epidemics. Viral Meningitis is more common than the bacterial form, but generally less serious, although it can be very debilitating.
Many different viruses can cause it.
Some are spread between people by coughing or sneezing, or through poor hygiene. Others can be found in sewage-polluted water. Most cases occur in the summer months. In mild cases of viral meningitis, people would not even go to their doctor. However, as the symptoms are similar to the bacterial form, someone with a severe case of viral meningitis will need to be admitted to hospital for test to find out which form they are suffering from.