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Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 13:00–14:00 (CEST)
Background
The global burden of acute bacterial meningitis remains high, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and resource-limited settings. Following the publication of the guidelines on meningitis diagnosis, treatment and care, the World Health Organization has developed and published a new implementation guidance to translate evidence-based recommendations into practical implementation guidance for use at the point of care. Designed as a suite of job aids on acute bacterial meningitis, this document serves as a resource for frontline healthcare professionals globally, including in settings where the risk of outbreaks and excess mortality is highest. With a primary focus on acute bacterial meningitis in children aged over 1 month, adolescents and adults, the toolkit provides technical guidance on the causative pathogens, clinical manifestations, diagnostic investigations, antibiotic therapy, adjunctive treatment, supportive care, post-exposure antibiotic prophylaxis, and infection prevention and control in healthcare settings.
Objectives
- To provide an overview of the newly released WHO guidance on bacterial meningitis, highlighting their relevance as a tool for frontline healthcare workers and as a means to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response efforts.
- To share key content of the new guidance aimed at guiding clinical and public health activities, with a special focus on settings experiencing outbreaks and large-scale epidemics.
- To engage national health authorities, international partners, and frontline healthcare professionals in a discussion on strategies for effectively disseminating and implementing the new guidance across countries and regions.
Agenda and Speakers
Introduction: EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO
Opening remarks: Maria Van Kerkhove (TBC), Director a.i., Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Management (EPM), WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), WHO headquarters
Preparedness and response to bacterial meningitis outbreaks: new WHO guidance for frontline healthcare workers: Nicolò Binello, Emerging Zoonoses & High Impact Epidemics unit, Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Management, WHE, WHO headquarters
Disseminating and implementing WHO guidance to support outbreak preparedness and response – panel discussion:
Agnese Comelli, Infectious Disease Referent on Antimicrobial Resistance, Médecins sans Frontières
Joseph Oliver-Commey, Director, Ghana Infectious Disease Centre
Patrick Mawupemor Avevor, Infectious Hazards Management Officer, WHO Country Office, Ghana
Dulamragchaa Buyanbaatar, Technical Officer, and Gerelmaa Danzan, Consultant, WHO Country Office, Mongolia
Katya Fernandez, Technical Officer, Emerging Zoonoses & High Impact Epidemics unit, Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Management, WHE, WHO headquarters
Q & A: All speakers
Closing and next EPI-WIN: EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO
