Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population on Sunday dismissed recent reports alleging the simultaneous deaths of four siblings from meningitis, describing the claims as "unfounded and scientifically unsupported." In an official statement, the ministry explained that meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which can result from infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites—or from non-infectious factors such as tumors, certain medications, surgeries, or trauma. The ministry stressed that Egypt has successfully controlled the infectious bacterial type of meningitis since 1989, reducing infection rates to just 0.02 cases per 100,000 people. It confirmed that no outbreaks of bacterial strains A or C have been reported among school students since 2016, attributing this progress to comprehensive vaccination campaigns and continuous disease surveillance. Egypt's surveillance system includes routine daily reporting from healthcare facilities, alongside advanced monitoring at 12 fever hospitals where cerebrospinal fluid samples are tested using WHO-accredited PCR techniques. The ministry also noted that immediate care is provided for suspected cases, including diagnosis, treatment, and preventive antibiotics for close contacts. To support these efforts, Egypt distributes around 6.5 million doses of the A&C meningitis vaccine annually to first-year students across all educational stages, in addition to 600,000 doses of the quadrivalent vaccine for travelers heading to high-risk regions. The national immunization schedule also covers vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae and tuberculosis-related meningitis. Refuting the viral rumor, the ministry emphasized that there is "no medical basis" for claims that four siblings could die simultaneously from a contagious disease like meningitis. It described such an event as highly implausible, highlighting that immune responses differ from person to person and that other potential causes—such as chemical exposure or food poisoning—must be thoroughly investigated before drawing conclusions. The ministry concluded by urging the public to rely on official health statements and refrain from circulating unverified medical information that could lead to unnecessary public concern or panic.
