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Case Manifestations and Public Health Response for Outbreak of Meningococcal W Disease, Central Australia, 2017.

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.

SUBMITTER: Sudbury EL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7323526 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Case Manifestations and Public Health Response for Outbreak of Meningococcal W Disease, Central Australia, 2017.

Sudbury Eva L EL O'Sullivan Siobhan S Lister David D Varghese Deepa D Satharasinghe Keshan K

Emerging infectious diseases 20200701 7

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 ...[more]

PMID: 32568047

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Case Manifestations and Public Health Response for Outbreak of Meningococcal W Disease, Central Australia, 2017.

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Case Manifestations and Public Health Response for Outbreak of Meningococcal W Disease, Central Australia, 2017.

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