Meningococcal disease is a severe, life-threatening bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. It can lead to meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining) or meningococcemia (a serious bloodstream infection). While it can affect anyone, infants, adolescents, and young adults are at higher risk.
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Meningococcal disease was recognized as a distinct clinical entity during epidemics in the 19th century. The causative bacterium, *Neisseria meningitidis*, was first identified by Anton Weichselbaum in 1887. Historically, it has been a significant cause of epidemics, driving the development of effective vaccines to control its spread and impact.
Meningococcal disease spreads through respiratory and throat secretions from an infected person, often through close or prolonged contact. This can occur via coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing items like drinks, food, or cigarettes. The bacteria do not survive long outside the human body, so casual contact does not typically lead to transmission.
Contagious Period: Varies by disease
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It requires two doses to be effective Tens of thousands of young people starting university next month have received their first dose of the meningitis B (menB) vaccine following deadly outbreaks earlier this year. Some 89,261 doses were administered in the first fortnight of a one-off jab programme for Year 13 pupils and students under 25 heading to university or residential education this autumn, NHS England said. The immunisation drive comes after a series of meningitis outbreaks in March left three teenagers dead, including Juliette Kenny, 18, whose family have been campaigning for young people to be routinely given access to the menB vaccine. The outbreak at the University of Kent was the fastest-growing and largest seen in the UK, and other smaller clusters of meningitis in young peo...
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All teenagers across the UK should be offered a meningitis vaccine on the NHS following a series of fatal outbreaks, a government commitee has said. The recommendation, made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), would mean that young people would be eligible for the menB vaccine at the age of 15, alongside catch-up programmes for those who otherwise would have missed out. This intervention follows several meningitis outbreaks occurring across the UK, resulting in dozens of confirmed cases alongside several deaths. In March, a major outbreak in Kent linked to a Canterbury nightclub killed two people and left over a dozen needing hospital treatment, while a similar outbreak in Berkshire in May led to the death of a school student. Specifically, the committee is recom...
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View WHO Resources →Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-17
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