Muslims Treking to Mecca Learn About Meningitis
PATERSON, NJ-Doctors and staff are preparing a New Jersey community for their holy pilgrimage to Mecca. While many anxious travelers are worried about packing and airline tickets, healthcare workers are quickly teaching about the dangers of meningitis.
Men and women in traditional skullcaps and headdresses watched a slide show of disfiguring rashes and a picture of diseased brain--all the result of meningitis. The disease infects the spinal cord fluid and the fluid surrounding the brain. Meningitis can cause brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities when not fatal.
Last year, a deadly meningitis outbreak during the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia left 70 people dead. There are 500 Muslims from the Paterson going to the event next month.
Doctors want to make sure they are prepared. The educational campaign, given in both Arabic and English, shows the risk of W-135 meningitis. The US is the only country to vaccinate against the strain; however, six cases were reported last year. American Muslims may have caught meningitis from other pilgrims and others may have become carriers for the illness.
Travelers were warned to stay away from those coughing and sneezing. They were also told to take antibiotics before leaving Saudi Arabia to prevent becoming a carrier. Meningitis is an airborne illness and symptoms include fever, stiff neck, headache, and nausea.
I Was There: An Infection Preventionist on the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 30th 2025Deep feelings run strong about the COVID-19 pandemic, and some beautiful art has come out of those emotions. Infection Control Today is proud to share this poem by Carmen Duke, MPH, CIC, in response to a recent article by Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC.
From the Derby to the Decontam Room: Leadership Lessons for Sterile Processing
April 27th 2025Elizabeth (Betty) Casey, MSN, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CHL, is the SVP of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Surgical Solutions in Overland, Kansas. This SPD leader reframes preparation, unpredictability, and teamwork by comparing surgical services to the Kentucky Derby to reenergize sterile processing professionals and inspire systemic change.
Show, Tell, Teach: Elevating EVS Training Through Cognitive Science and Performance Coaching
April 25th 2025Training EVS workers for hygiene excellence demands more than manuals—it requires active engagement, motor skills coaching, and teach-back techniques to reduce HAIs and improve patient outcomes.
The Rise of Disposable Products in Health Care Cleaning and Linens
April 25th 2025Health care-associated infections are driving a shift toward disposable microfiber cloths, mop pads, and curtains—offering infection prevention, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in one-time-use solutions.
