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Meningococcal Invasive Disease
Health care providers, administrators, and clinical laboratory directors should report confirmed or suspect cases immediately to their Local Health Department by telephone.
Meningococcal disease is any infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, or meningococcus. One serious infection it can cause is meningococcal meningitis - inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal disease can become very serious, very quickly.
Educational Materials
Meningitis versus Meningococcal Disease: there IS a difference
Having meningitis doesn't always mean you have meningococcal disease. And having meningococcal disease doesn't necessarily mean you have meningitis. For more information on the different types of meningitis, please visit:
For the Community
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Meningococcal Disease: Are you Protected? [English] [Spanish]
- Meningococcal Vaccination:
Parents and Caregivers
Disease Prevention
Health Care Providers
College Health Administrators
Local Health Departments
Advisory
Increase of Invasive Meningococcal Disease Cases
Cases of meningococcal disease in the US have increased sharply since 2021 and now exceed pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, 422 confirmed and probable cases were reported in the US (preliminary data). This is the largest number of US meningococcal disease cases since 2014. Most of the increase in meningococcal disease is driven by N. meningitidis serogroup Y. The NJDOH Communicable Disease Service has observed a similar trend in NJ. In 2023, 17 total confirmed meningococcal disease cases were reported in NJ. This was the largest number of NJ meningococcal cases since 2013 where a total of 20 cases were reported (included an outbreak of serogroup B occurring on a college campus). As of August 16, a total of 15 cases have been reported in NJ for 2024. Please read recent health alert messages from NJDOH and CDC:
- 8/16/2024 NJLINCS Update on the Increase of Invasive Meningococcal Disease Cases in NJ and US - PEP Recommendations
- 3/27/2024 NJLINCS Increase in Invasive Meningococcal Disease Cases in New Jersey and the United States
- 3/28/2024 CDC HAN Increase in Invasive Serogroup Y Meningococcal Disease in the United States
Meningococcal Disease Associated with Travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah Pilgrimage
On May 31, the CDC released a for healthcare providers describing recent cases of meningococcal disease associated with travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and related vaccine and prophylaxis recommendations. This manuscript serves as a companion piece to the issued by CDC on May 20. This year, the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage took place between June 14-19, 2024, in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims were recommended to follow travel health advice, including advice on basic infection control measures to reduce the risk of acquiring and spreading infections and vaccination with vaccines prior to the Hajj. Vaccination with the at least 10 days before departure is particularly important. Healthcare providers should continue to remain vigilant for individuals presenting with clinically compatible symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease (meningitis or meningococcemia), especially those with recent travel to Saudi Arabia or close contact with travelers.
Disease Reporting
- Meningococcal Disease Chapter UPDATED: 1/2025
- Meningococcal Disease Investigation Checklist for LHDs UPDATED: 1/2025
- (IMM-23)