Case manifestations and public health response for outbreak of meningococcal W disease, Central Australia, 2017

Case manifestations and public health response for outbreak of meningococcal W disease, Central Australia, 2017 Journal Article

Emerging Infectious Diseases

• Author(s): Sudbury, E. L., O'Sullivan, S., Lister, D., Varghese, D., Satharasinghe, K.
• Published: 2020
• Volume: 26
• ISBN: 1080-6059 (Electronic) 1080-6040 (Linking)

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Abstract: Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W has emerged as an increasingly common cause of invasive meningococcal disease worldwide; the average case-fatality rate is 10%. In 2017, an unprecedented outbreak of serogroup W infection occurred among the Indigenous pediatric population of Central Australia; there were 24 cases over a 5-month period. Among these cases were atypical manifestations, including meningococcal pneumonia, septic arthritis, and conjunctivitis. The outbreak juxtaposed a well-resourced healthcare system against unique challenges related to covering vast distances, a socially disadvantaged population, and a disease process that was rapid and unpredictable. A coordinated clinical and public health response included investigation of and empiric treatment for 649 febrile children, provision of prophylactic antimicrobial drugs for 465 close contacts, and implementation of a quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY conjugate vaccine immunization program. The response contained the outbreak within 6 months; no deaths and only 1 case of major illness were recorded.

• Urls: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32568047/
• Database Provider: NLM