• Recently the US state of Virginia has announced a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease. Meningococcal meningitis is a disease caused by a bacteria called meningococcal meningitis, which has the potential to cause major epidemics. It affects the protective layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

 Infection 

• They spread to people who come in contact with small droplets from sneezing. Group B streptococcus (bacteria) is often passed from mother to child at birth.
•  This disease is transmitted by bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pneumococcus), Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria), Haemophilus influenzae (Haemophilus), etc.
• It affects people of all ages in all countries. 
• About 1 in 5 survivors of the disease may have long-term disabilities, such as loss of function of an organ(s), deafness, nervous system problems, or brain damage.

 Symptoms

• Some common symptoms are: 
• Fever
•  Headache 
• Nausea
•  Vomit 
• Stiff neck 
• confused mental state

 photophobia

• Efforts to prevent infection 
• The World Health Organization (WHO) is working on a strategy to eliminate meningitis by the year 2030.

 Vaccines: 

• Vaccines are available for meningococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type B and pneumococcal.
• Medicines Penicillin, Ampicillin and Ceftriaxone are used for treatment.