WHO Issues First Guidelines for Meningitis Care
According to an article on The World Health Organization, the WHO has released its first global guidelines on meningitis care, aiming to improve early diagnosis, timely treatment, and long-term support. Bacterial meningitis remains a major health threat, especially in low- and middle-income countries, with high rates of death and disability. These evidence-based recommendations support healthcare workers and policymakers in better managing and preventing the disease, and contribute to WHO’s goal of defeating meningitis by 2030.
The new guidelines cover all aspects of clinical care for children over one month old, adolescents, and adults with acute community-acquired meningitis. They provide recommendations for both bacterial and viral cases, including diagnosis, antibiotic therapy, supportive care, and long-term management. Special attention is given to making the guidelines practical for low-resource settings where the disease burden is highest.
This release supports the broader “Defeating Meningitis by 2030” global initiative, which aims to eliminate bacterial meningitis epidemics, reduce deaths by 70%, and improve life after recovery. WHO hopes that with stronger health systems and greater awareness, more lives can be saved and the long-term impacts of the disease can be reduced.
