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Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis is cased by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It can be transmitted through direct contact including airborne droplets from nose and throat of infected persons.

Reservoir

Humans

Incubation period

3 to 4 days, but can vary from 2 to 10 days.

Signs and Symptoms

Fever
Intense headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Neck stiffness
Petechial or purpuric rash on the trunk and limbs
Can lead to sepsis, pneumonia and death.

Diagnosis

Clinical features & blood and CSF culture

Treatment

Prompt treatment with parenteral penicillin (prescribed by medical doctor) in adequate doses should begin when a presumptive clinical diagnosis is made prior to laboratory confirmation.

Control and Prevention

Rifampicin or Ciprofloxacin (prescribed by medical doctor) should be given as prophylaxis to:

Eliminate carriage of meningococci in household members and other close contacts, thereby in turn reduce transmission to susceptible individuals who are not carriers.
Prevent susceptible contacts from acquiring infection by directly inhibiting colonisation but it could only be effective for 2 days prophylaxis.
Treat the newly acquired nasopharyngeal or blood borne infection in contacts who are non-immune and may be incubating the disease.

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