Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is an immediately notifiable condition in Oklahoma, meaning cases must be reported to the state health department immediately upon suspicion or diagnosis. Meningococcal disease is a potentially severe or fatal disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Fortunately, the disease is uncommon and not all people who become infected with the bacteria develop illness. If you become infected, this means that you carry the bacteria in your nose or throat. At any one time, approximately 10% to 15% of the population will carry the bacteria but never experience any illness; less than 1% of infected people will ever develop symptoms.
Neisseria meningitidis can be passed from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat secretions through coughing, kissing, or sharing items such as drinking and eating utensils. The time from exposure to symptom onset (incubation period) ranges from 2 to 10 days, but usually occur within 3 to 4 days after exposure. Illness may present as pneumonia, septicemia, or meningitis. Septicemia is an infection of the blood with symptoms of fever, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the central nervous system. Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, and a petechial rash. About 10% to 20% of people that develop disease will have long-term effects such as cognitive or intellectual disabilities, limb loss, or hearing loss. If untreated, approximately 15% of people with the disease will die.
