Meningitis is often not diagnosed because of its flu-like symptoms such as aches and pains, and a sore throat. Other symptoms include headaches, high fever, nausea and vomiting, a stiff neck and sensitivity to light. Whenever a case is reported, an epidemiologist contacts the physician, hospital lab and family to verify the diagnosis, makes sure the proper lab tests were ordered and the proper preventive measures were taken. Epidemiologists then review all the cases reported during the past three months to detect any possible association between cases. If we think of an outbreak as at least two cases linked epidemiologically, then we can safely say we do not have an outbreak so far.
Meningococcal meningitis is a severe disease.
In the U.S., about 10 percent of the cases are fatal. In Louisiana the fatality rates vary from 10 to 25 percent. At any time, a few percent of the state's population carries meningococci. So, there are 450,000 Louisianians walking around with meningococci in their throat, mouth and nose. We urge people who may have been in very close contact with a person with the disease see a doctor and get adequate preventive treatment.