Meningococcal Disease, 2015

Seven cases of Neisseria meningitidis (NM) invasive disease cases (0.15 per 100,000 population) were reported in 2015; 6 cases were reported in 2014. Six were serogroup B and 1 case could not be serogrouped because the isolate was non-viable. All cases were sporadic.

Cases ranged in age from 4 months to 58 years. Five occurred in Greater Minnesota, while in 2014, 4 of the 6 cases occurred in the metropolitan area. Three cases had meningitis, 3 had bacteremia without another focus of infection (of these 1 also had septic shock), and 1 had pneumonia. There were no deaths.

One case-isolate demonstrated intermediate resistance to both ampicillin and penicillin, and 1 case-isolate was intermediate resistant only to ampicillin. None demonstrated ciprofloxacin resistance.

One Minnesota 2015 suspect case (suspect because specimen collected >12 hours after death) was linked by molecular laboratory tests to an ongoing outbreak of 7 cases in Chicago. All cases were in men who have sex with men.

In 2012, meningococcal conjugate vaccine MenHibrix®, covering serogroups Y and C and Haemophilus influenzae b, was extended for licensed use in the United States to 6 weeks of age. Later vaccines were licensed for use in the United States in January 2005 for persons aged 11 to 55 years, and include protection against serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135. In 2011, the license was approved to include 9 through 23 months. The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend immunization with either vaccine routinely at age 11- 12 years or at high school entry and a booster dose at age 16, as well as for college freshmen living in dormitories, and other groups in the licensed age range previously determined to be at high risk. Meningitis serogroup B outbreaks have occurred on college campuses in the United States. As a result of these outbreaks, two meningitis B vaccines were licensed (Bexsero®, Trumenba®). Current recommendations are that teens and young adults (16-23 years) may be vaccinated against meningitis B, preferably at 16 through 18 years old.

• For up to date information see>> Meningococcal Disease
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2015