Neisseria Meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitidis in US. ACIP has recently updated its recommendations regarding the use of meningococcal vaccine. Monitoring the changes in the epidemiological features is critical for the use of the vaccine. This study reviewed the laboratory-based reporting for meningococcal disease in Florida between 1996-99. A case of meningococcal disease was defined as the isolation of N. meningitidis from a normally sterile site. Of 352 reported cases, 160(46%) were male, 166(47%) were female, and 26(7%) were unknown gender; and 173(49%) were white, 44(16%) were non-white, and 123(35%) were unknown race. Overall there were 120(34%) serogroup B cases with a range between 31%-42% yearly. Of the 144(41%) reported serogroup C cases, there was a trend of decrease from 55% in 1996 to about 33% in 1998-99. Eighty(23%) cases were serogroup Y, range from 12% in 1996 and 33% in 1999. There were only 5 cases of serogroup W-135 and 3 cases of others during the study period. Of reported serogroup B cases, 45% were age <5, with highest percentage(22%) among cases age<1. Of reported serogroup C cases, the highest percentage of cases were found among those age <5(22%), and gradually decreased till age group 20-24(8%). Finally, the percentage of cases among those age >74 was higher(10%). Of reported serogroup Y cases, there was a similar age pattern as serogroup C with the highest peak among age >74(26%). More than half of all cases age >74 were serogroup Y.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Epidemiology, Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.