Neisseria meningitidis Invasive Disease, 2000

Twenty-two cases of Neisseria meningitidis invasive disease were reported in 2000 (0.4 per 100,000 population), compared to 56 cases in 1999. The distribution of serogroups was similar to 1999, with 11 (50%) serogroup C cases, four (18%) serogroup B cases, six (27%) serogroup Y cases, and one (5%) serogroup W135 case.

Ages of cases ranged from 2 months to 95 years, with a mean age of 36 years. Fifty-nine percent of the cases resided in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Eleven (50%) cases had meningitis, six (27%) had bacteremia without another focus of infection, three (14%) had bacteremia with pneumonia, and two (9%) had bacteremia with otitis media. All cases were sporadic with no apparent epidemiologic links.

Three deaths occurred due to Neisseria meningitidis invasive disease. A 21-year-old female died of meningitis attributed to serogroup C. A 68-year-old female with serogroup Y pneumonia and an 80-year-old male with serogroup C meningococcemia also died.

Since the fall of 1998, MDH has collected additional information on college-aged students with Neisseria meningitidis invasive disease as part of a nationwide effort to determine whether providing meningococcal vaccine to incoming college freshmen would effectively prevent disease in this age group. Serogroups A, C, Y, and W135 are covered in the quadrivalent vaccine. Two cases reported in Minnesota in 2000 were college students. The students attended different schools in different states. One case was due to serogroup C and the other to serogroup Y. In the fall of 1999, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that health care providers inform college students about meningococcal disease and the availability of vaccine.

• For up to date information see>> Meningococcal Disease
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2000