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Meningococcal Invasive Disease

Meningococcal Invasive Disease

Report Confirmed or Suspect Cases Immediately to the Local Health Department.

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.

Return to the main meningitis page.

Educational Materials
Disease Prevention

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]
CDC Meningococcal Homepage

Meningococcal: Questions and Answers
Meningococcal Vaccination:
- Who Needs to be Vaccinated?
- What You Need to Know
CDC Traveler's Health - Meningococcal Disease

Parents and Caregivers

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Disease Prevention

Health Care Providers

College Health Administrators

Guidance for Implementation of Meningococcal Vaccine Requirements

Local Health Departments

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Advisory

Increase of Invasive Meningococcal Disease Cases UPDATED: 7/2024

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 NEW: 8/2024
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 MMWR Notes from the Field 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 Health Alert Network Health Advisory 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 required and recommended vaccines prior to the Hajj. Vaccination with the quadrivalent (ACWY) meningococcal vaccine 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.

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