The Rise and Fall of Epidemic<i>Neisseria meningitidis</i>Serogroup W135 Meningitis in Burkina Faso, 2002–2005

For unknown reasons, serogroup W135 achieved epidemic status, primarily among young children, and then largely disappeared over a short time period. The continued circulation of multiple strains with epidemic potential emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and the potential benefit of vaccines that are protective across serogroups.