Scary germ found – issue an alert | the world

An increase in rare bacterial infections in people who have resided in Saudi Arabia has prompted authorities to issue a warning.

According to the British Foreign Office, a total of 14 people have been infected with the sometimes fatal disease. The Mirror newspaper wrote that five cases were reported in the United States, four in France, and three in the United Kingdom, in addition to one case in Norway and one in the Netherlands.

The bacteria were discovered in travelers returning to their home countries from the Hajj to Mecca.

One in ten dies

The bacterial infection is called invasive meningococcal infection and is a serious disease that can cause meningitis and sepsis. The disease can progress rapidly in those infected and the mortality rate is 10 percent.

The bacteria only infect humans and are spread through close contact with infected people. Symptoms include fever, headache, and neck stiffness, followed by nausea and vomiting.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have issued advice to pilgrims undertaking the Hajj, such as wearing a face mask in crowded areas, washing hands frequently with soap, avoiding contact with other sick people and not sharing personal items.