A study published in The Lancet Neurology reports that in 2023, there were an estimated 259,000 deaths and 2.5 million infections from meningitis worldwide. While these figures represent a significant decline in both death and infection rates since 1990, the pace of improvement is not enough to meet the World Health Organization's targets of reducing infections by 50% and deaths by 70% by the year 2030.
Meningitis continues to be the leading infectious cause of neurological disabilities around the world. Since the year 2000, global vaccination campaigns have contributed to notable reductions in cases and fatalities across both high-income and low-income countries. However, progress against meningitis has lagged behind advances made against other vaccine-preventable diseases.
The study highlights that low birthweight, premature birth, and exposure to air pollution—both household and atmospheric—are among the top risk factors for meningitis-related deaths. The disease burden remains especially high in low-income regions such as Africa's so-called "meningitis belt," with Nigeria, Chad, and Niger experiencing some of the highest rates of death and infection globally.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, non-polio enteroviruses, and other viruses are identified as leading causes of death from meningitis. Non-polio enteroviruses are responsible for most cases overall.
The authors say greater efforts are needed worldwide to further reduce illness from this disease: "greater efforts, including expanding vaccination programmes, greater antibiotic stewardship, improving access to care, and strengthening diagnostics and monitoring for meningitis are essential to achieve further reductions in the disease globally."
