Meningococcal disease outbreak related to the World Scout Jamboree in Japan, 2015

Abstract

ProblemSix invasive meningococcal disease cases occurred among Scottish and Swedish nationals associated with the World Scout Jamboree (WSJ), an international mass gathering, held in Japan. The index case developed symptoms while returning home. The strains from all six cases were identical and seldom seen in Japan.ContextOver 33 000 participants from 155 countries attended WSJ. At the Jamboree site, participants of the North of Scotland’s and Sweden’s units camped within the same subcamp and kept the same schedule of events. No information was available about the Swedish and Scottish cases’ close personal contact history.ActionHealth Protection Scotland investigated Scottish cases, conducted active case finding, provided chemoprophylaxis, vaccinated close contacts and advised Scottish WSJ participants and contacts to seek medical care if they developed symptoms. The Public Health Agency of Sweden recommended chemoprophylaxis to all participants in Sweden. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) requested the Scout Association of Japan advise all participants to seek medical attention if they developed symptoms. MHLW shared information about the event with local authorities, medical associations, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.OutcomeNo additional case related to WSJ has been reported. This outbreak highlighted the risk for international spread of invasive meningococcal disease at international mass gatherings.DiscussionAssessing risk, educating participants, enhancing surveillance and sharing timely information among related countries are significant for prevention and response against invasive meningococcal disease outbreaks at mass gatherings.

The Global Meningococcal Initiative meeting on prevention of meningococcal disease worldwide: Epidemiology, surveillance, hypervirulent strains, antibiotic resistance and high-risk populations

“…Six cases of IMD, confirmed as MenW: P1.5,2,36-2: F1-1: ST-11 (cc11), occurred among Scottish and Swedish individuals associated with the World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) in 2015, an international mass gathering, held in Japan, where 33,000 teenagers of 14-17 years gathered from 162 countries. The novel MenW strain was found to have descended from the aforementioned MenW cc11 South American strain sub-lineage [52,166]. In addition, the probable transmission of MenW from Scouts to passengers seated nearby during an international flight was reported, but the incident did not fulfill European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) criteria for flight contact [166,167].…”

“…The novel MenW strain was found to have descended from the aforementioned MenW cc11 South American strain sub-lineage [52,166]. In addition, the probable transmission of MenW from Scouts to passengers seated nearby during an international flight was reported, but the incident did not fulfill European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) criteria for flight contact [166,167]. All the aforementioned examples of outbreaks reported during mass gatherings stimulated a debate around the definition of a mass gathering and the control strategies that should be implemented.…”

Epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases in Japan: considerations for pre-travel advice for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games

“…All cases were from Europe, one of which did not attend the event. ( 18 ) These events show how importation can cause outbreaks even when domestic incidence is low; pre-travel advice should include ensuring up-to-date vaccinations, frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with items that contain others’ saliva or respiratory droplets as much as possible.…”

Meningococcal disease surveillance in the Asia–Pacific region (2020): The global meningococcal initiative

“…99 The World Scout Jamboree (Japan, 2015) In 2015, there were six confirmed IMD cases following the 23rd World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) held in the Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan. 100 During the event, there were 33,628 scouts (14-17 years) in attendance from 155 countries. Three Scottish scouts and one parent, along with two Swedish scouts contracted IMD; all cases were reported to public health agencies following the event.…”