Meningococcal disease primarily affects very young children. However, it does occur in young adults, in males more than females, and more commonly in newly gathered adults living in crowded conditions, such as in barracks and college dormitories. Group A organisms are responsible for disease in the subSaharan region of Africa. During the 1990s, Group B has been the most common cause of disease in the Americas, and there have been outbreaks in Cuba, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Colombia . Community outbreaks of group C disease, affecting school and college-aged youths, have been occurring with increasing frequency in Canada and the United States since 1990.
Severe cases can result in delirium and coma and, if untreated, toxic shock and death.
A person is capable of passing the infection to others as long as the bacteria are present in discharges from the nose and mouth. The bacteria usually disappear from the nose and throat within 24 hours after treatment is begun. The bacteria are spread by direct oral contact such as kissing, or by inhaling airborne respiratory droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person. Routine use of meningococcal vaccine for civilians is not recommended. These people should consult a travel medicine clinic for assessment of their personal risk and appropriate preventive measures, if indicated.