{"id":11007,"date":"2024-04-03T09:35:47","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T13:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/?page_id=11007"},"modified":"2025-11-07T10:18:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T15:18:38","slug":"meningococcal-disease","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/meningococcal-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Meningococcal Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-11007\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-11007-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-11007-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-11007-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div id=\"About\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11007-0-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">On This Page<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#About\">About Meningococcal Disease<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#types\">Types &amp; Symptoms<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#prevention\">Prevention<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#info\">Information &amp; Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#hcp\">Resources for Healthcare Providers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11007-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"1\" ><div id=\"about\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11007-0-0-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">About Meningococcal Disease<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong>Meningococcal bacteria are spread by sharing respiratory and throat secretions.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are spread by exchanging respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) during close (coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact.<\/p>\n<p>People do not catch the bacteria through casual contact or by breathing air where someone with meningococcal disease has been.<\/p>\n<p>Most people exposed to <em>N. meningitidis<\/em> do not become ill and are called \u201ccarriers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Health departments investigate each case of meningococcal disease to identify all close contacts and make sure they receive antibiotics to help prevent them from getting the disease.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11007-0-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"2\" ><div id=\"types\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11007-0-0-2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Types &amp; Symptoms<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong><span lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\">The two most common types of meningococcal infections are meningitis and septicemia.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A small proportion of infected people can develop serious illness.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">You should not delay seeking care if you experience the following symptoms of meningococcal disease.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> Symptoms can first appear flu-like and quickly become more severe.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Meningitis:<\/strong> sudden fever, headache, stiff neck, and light sensitivity.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Bloodstream infection:<\/strong> sudden fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Symptoms can differ in infants<\/strong> and may include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Inactivity<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Irritability,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Poor feeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Bulging soft spot on their head<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11007-0-0-3\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"3\" ><div id=\"prevention\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11007-0-0-3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Prevention<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong>The best way to prevent meningococcal disease is to get vaccinated.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Vaccines can help prevent meningococcal disease. There are 3 types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Meningococcal conjugate or MenACWY vaccines (Menveo\u00ae and MenQuadfi\u00ae)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Serogroup B meningococcal or MenB vaccines (Bexsero\u00ae and Trumenba\u00ae)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pentavalent meningococcal or MenABCWY vaccine (PenbrayaTM)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Who should Get Vaccinated<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All adolescents should receive a MenACWY vaccine at 11 to 12 years of age and a booster dose at 16 years of age. <\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">MenACWY vaccination is also recommended for children and adults at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/meningococcal\/about\/risk-factors.html#conditions\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">increased risk<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> for meningococcal disease. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Teens and young adults (16 through 23 years old) also may get a MenB vaccine. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Those getting MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same time may get a MenABCWY vaccine instead.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Talk to your healthcare provider or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/health-department-locator\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">local health department<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> if you have questions about accessing meningococcal vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11007-0-0-4\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"4\" ><div id=\"info\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11007-0-0-4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Information &amp; Resources<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/epidemiology\/epidemiology-fact-sheets\/meningococcal-disease\/\">VDH Meningococcal Disease Fact Sheet<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW44681760 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/01\/Meningococcal_Disease_Fact_Sheet_Amharic.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Amharic<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW44681760 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/01\/Meningococcal_Disease_Fact_Sheet_Arabic.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Arabic<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW44681760 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/01\/Meningococcal_Disease_Fact_Sheet_Chinese.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Chinese<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW44681760 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/01\/Meningococcal_Disease_Fact_Sheet_Dari.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Dari<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW44681760 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/01\/Meningococcal_Disease_Fact_Sheet_hatian-creole.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Haitian Creole<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW44681760 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/01\/Meningococcal_Disease_Fact_Sheet_Korean.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Korean<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW44681760 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/01\/Meningococcal_Disease_Fact_Sheet_Tagalog.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Tagalog<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW44681760 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/01\/Meningococcal_Disease_Fact_Sheet_Vietnamese.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW44681760 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW44681760 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44681760 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Vietnamese<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW91824508 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/08\/Infographics_Meningococcal.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW91824508 BCX8\"><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange TrackChangeHoverSelectColorRed SCXW91824508 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW91824508 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest TrackChangeHoverSelectHighlightRed SCXW91824508 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">VDH Meningococcal Vaccines for Preteens and Teens<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange TrackChangeHoverSelectColorRed SCXW91824508 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW91824508 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest TrackChangeHoverSelectHighlightRed SCXW91824508 BCX8\">\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/04\/Infographics_Meningococcal_Amharic.pdf\">Amharic<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/04\/Infographics_Meningococcal_Arabic.pdf\">Arabic<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/04\/Infographics_Meningococcal_Chinese.pdf\">Chinese<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/04\/Infographics_Meningococcal_Dari.pdf\">Dari<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/04\/Infographics_Meningococcal_HaitianCreole.pdf\">Haitian Creole<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/04\/Infographics_Meningococcal_Korean.pdf\">Korean<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/04\/Infographics_Meningococcal_Tagalog-1.pdf\">Tagalog<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/04\/Infographics_Meningococcal_Vietnamese-1-2.pdf\">Vietnamese<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/meningococcal\/index.html\">CDC Meningococcal Disease<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/vpd\/mening\/public\/index.html\">CDC Meningococcal Vaccination<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11007-0-0-5\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div id=\"hcp\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11007-0-0-5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Resources for Healthcare Providers<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Immediately notify your <\/span><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/health-department-locator\/\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">local health department<\/span><\/b><\/a><b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> (LHD) <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">if meningococcal disease is suspected based on clinical findings or laboratory results of gram-negative diplococci or <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">N. meningitidis<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"> from a normally sterile site<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Because of the risks of severe morbidity and death, effective antibiotics should be administered promptly to patients suspected of having meningococcal disease.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Empirical therapy for suspected meningococcal disease should include an extended-spectrum cephalosporin, such as cefotaxime or ceftriaxone.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Ciprofloxacin and penicillin-resistant strains of <i>N. meningitidis <\/i><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>have been reported in Virginia<\/strong>. <\/span><b><\/b>\n<ul>\n<li>Healthcare providers\u00a0should ascertain susceptibility of meningococcal isolates to penicillin before using penicillin or ampicillin for treatment.<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">Resistant strains are most frequently identified in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Locality-to-HD-to-HPR.pdf\">Northern Virginia<\/a>. H<\/span>ealthcare providers in the region should suspend use of ciprofloxacin as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent PEP failure in contacts.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/73\/wr\/mm7305a2.htm#B1_down\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Alternative PEP options<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> for Northern Virginia include rifampin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ensure that all patients who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease are up to date on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/meningococcal\/vaccines\/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fvaccines%2Fvpd%2Fmening%2Fpublic%2Findex.html\">recommended meningococcal vaccines<\/a>. <\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About Meningococcal Disease Types &amp; Symptoms Prevention Information &amp; Resources Resources for Healthcare Providers &nbsp; Meningococcal bacteria are spread by sharing respiratory and throat secretions. The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are spread by exchanging respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) during close (coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact. People do not catch the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":230,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11007","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Meningococcal Disease - Surveillance and Investigation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/meningococcal-disease\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Meningococcal Disease - Surveillance and Investigation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"About Meningococcal Disease Types &amp; Symptoms Prevention Information &amp; Resources Resources for Healthcare Providers &nbsp; Meningococcal bacteria are spread by sharing respiratory and throat secretions. The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are spread by exchanging respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) during close (coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact. People do not catch the [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/meningococcal-disease\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Surveillance and Investigation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-11-07T15:18:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/surveillance-and-investigation\\\/meningococcal-disease\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/surveillance-and-investigation\\\/meningococcal-disease\\\/\",\"name\":\"Meningococcal Disease - Surveillance and Investigation\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/surveillance-and-investigation\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2024-04-03T13:35:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-07T15:18:38+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/surveillance-and-investigation\\\/meningococcal-disease\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/surveillance-and-investigation\\\/meningococcal-disease\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/surveillance-and-investigation\\\/meningococcal-disease\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/surveillance-and-investigation\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Meningococcal Disease Page\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/surveillance-and-investigation\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/surveillance-and-investigation\\\/\",\"name\":\"Surveillance and Investigation\",\"description\":\"To promote and protect the health of all Virginians\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/surveillance-and-investigation\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Meningococcal Disease - Surveillance and Investigation","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/meningococcal-disease\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Meningococcal Disease - Surveillance and Investigation","og_description":"About Meningococcal Disease Types &amp; Symptoms Prevention Information &amp; Resources Resources for Healthcare Providers &nbsp; Meningococcal bacteria are spread by sharing respiratory and throat secretions. The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are spread by exchanging respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) during close (coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact. 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