People who may have had direct contact with the nose and throat discharge of an infected person should contact their primary health care provider about treatment with rifampin. Casual contacts such as classmates or co-workers usually do not require treatment unless they shared beverage containers, cigarettes, or objects entering the mouth. There is a vaccine that will protect against some strains of N. meningitidis , but it is only recommended in outbreaks or for travel to areas of the world with high rates of the disease. The exact length of protection is not known, but appears to be about three years in persons four years of age or older. The vaccine provides contacts protection against meningococcal disease, but does not eliminate the bacteria from the throat.
Immunized persons can still potentially transmit the disease to others.
There are typically 75 to 125 cases a year. Clusters or outbreaks of meningococcal disease are rare in the United States, although southwest Washington and the Portland have seen an unusually high number of cases since 1992. If you or anyone in your family exhibits severe symptoms of meningococcal disease, contact your primary health care provider immediately. Send mail to the Webmaster.