1. What is this study about?

Meningococcal disease is a devastating illness. It can affect anyone and may ultimately lead to death or the development of lifelong neurological complications. We report on surveillance findings of laboratory-confirmed invasive meningococcal disease in South Africa from the start of the GERMS-SA programme in 2003 through September 2024.

2. Why does this matter?

The surveillance programme has documented an ongoing increase in case numbers of meningococcal disease from 2021 through 2024 and urges clinicians to be on alert for meningococcal cases, especially during the meningococcal season.

3. What drew your interest in this area of research?

I co-ordinate the national surveillance programme on laboratory-confirmed invasive meningococcal disease infections in South Africa (GERMS-SA), which collects isolates from all confirmed meningococcal episodes as well as clinical data on patients with meningococcal disease admitted to selected hospitals in the country. Analysing and reporting on this data is a privilege of my job.

5. Why should people read this article?

Meningococcal disease is a devastating illness with high mortality and morbidity. Any increase in episodes is concerning; therefore, by reading this article and looking at trends in meningococcal disease in South Africa over the last 20 years, I hope that the increase in cases will be put into perspective.

6. What impact do you hope this study will have on public health policy and access to healthcare?

We hope to raise awareness about the importance of meningococcal disease in South Africa and its devastating consequences. Clinicians are urged to take specimens, treat, and report all suspected and confirmed meningococcal disease episodes to the NMC platform so that appropriate contact tracing is conducted. Microbiology laboratory staff are urged to report all episodes to the GERMS-SA surveillance programme so that changes in serogroup and incidence are monitored. A quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine is available; therefore, clinicians should ensure that it is given to persons at increased risk of disease.

Dr Susan Meiring is a Medical Officer in the Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.

For a more in-depth look into this captivating piece, download the full article below.