Muslims in Bradford preparing to make the annual pilgrimage to Mecca are being warned to make sure their meningitis vaccine is up to date.

The Meningitis Research Foundation says that over the last few years there has been a rise in the number of cases of meningitis and septicaemia among Hajj pilgrims and their families.

It has been caused by a rare form of meningitis called W135. In 2000 two people from Bradford were struck by this strain of the disease and in 2001 seven people in England and Wales died because of W135.

Advice from the Department of Health is for all pilgrims to obtain the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (ACWY Vac). This protects against strains A, C, W135 and Y and is available from GP surgeries.

The Saudi Arabian Government requires pilgrims to be vaccinated and will not issue a visa without a valid vaccination certificate.

Ishtiaq Ahmed, secretary of the Bradford Council for Mosques, said: "From next week there will be about 5-6,000 people from the Bradford district and surrounding towns travelling to Hajj.

"It is very important that these people, especially those travelling with children, take up the vaccination before leaving.

"People should not take any chances, because children are especially vulnerable. It is an absolute must that every precaution is taken to safeguard against meningitis and any other disease that could be caught travelling to what is a hot, humid and congested area.

"Prevention is much better than cure."

Dr Ruth Gelletlie, consultant in communicable disease control for Bradford district, said: "We advise all pilgrims to make an appointment with their family doctor before they travel.

"Primary care health staff will be able to give them advice and the appropriate vaccination."

For further information about the vaccine and meningitis call the Meningitis Research Foundation's freefone 24-hour helpline on 080 8800 3344.