Changing epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia 1994–2016

Abstract

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has a relatively low incidence in Australia, however remains a serious public health issue, with a case fatality rate of approximately 10% despite antimicrobial treatment. IMD is particularly seen in young children, but can affect all age groups. The disease has non-specific early symptoms, rapid clinical progression mainly manifesting as septicaemia and/or meningitis, and has the potential for long term sequelae in the survivors, including skin scarring, amputation, deafness and seizures. There are 13 serogroups, although most invasive infections worldwide are caused by serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y, with some recent outbreaks in Africa caused by serogroup X. The prevalent circulating serogroups can undergo dynamic shifts, generating dramatic changes in IMD epidemiology. Such serogroup shifts have important ramifications for vaccination programs and constant surveillance is crucial.