European meningitis cases surge in 2024 as heatwave deaths exceed 200,000

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported 2,233 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in the EU during 2024, the highest rate in five years, with a mortality rate of about 10% (202 deaths). The majority of cases occurred in France (613), Germany (337) and Spain (340), while Greece recorded 37 cases. The most common pathogen was serogroup B, responsible for 56% of identified infections.

Separately, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 200,000 European deaths since 2022 are linked to extreme heat. Recent heatwaves have caused at least 18 fatalities in France, including two children found in an overheated car, and several deaths among the elderly in the Bordeaux region. Temperatures topped 41 °C in parts of France, prompting health authorities to call for stronger protection measures such as warning systems and care for vulnerable groups.