Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal Disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) and is a normal inhabitant of the human nasopharynx. It is transmitted from person to person by aerosol, droplet and direct spread. Up to 10% of adults are colonised at any time and develop no signs or symptoms of disease. There are five main meningococcal serotypes (A, B, C, W, and Y) that can cause disease in humans. Meningococcus can cause invasive disease, including meningitis and septicaemia and is most common during the winter months. Young children and teenagers are at highest risk of meningococcal disease

For further information on Meningococcal Disease in the UK please visit UKHSA.

Reports for Northern Ireland

For the most recent calendar year surveillance tables please click here.

For the most recent Epidemiological year surveillance tables please click here.

To view previously published annual immunisation and vaccine preventable diseases reports please click here.