1. Meningococcal Meningitis
Dr Paul T Francis, MD
Community Medicine
College of Medicine, Zawia

2. Meningococcal meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis is a serious disease with very high mortality
Is seen worldwide but mostly in the ‘meningitic belt’ of Africa
Immunization has reduced meningococcal meningitis in Libya to a negligible level

3. Meningococcal meningitis belt of Africa

4. Agent factors Agent – N meningitidis
Source of infection – Carriers and cases
Nasopharyngeal secretions contain the bacteria

5. Meningococci – beautiful but dangerous

6. Host factors
Common in children and young adults

7. Skin lesions in Meningococcal meningitis

8. Environmental factors
Occurs more commonly in winter and early spring
Overcrowding as in hostels, schools, army barracks lead to rapid spread of disease

9. Epidemiological factors
Mode of transmission – droplet infection
Incubation period – 3-4 days

10. Prevention and control
An effective vaccine is available to prevent Meningococcal meningitis
In Libya children are vaccinated at the age of 6 at the time of school entry