Reporting Obligations
Suspected cases of BACTERIAL MENINGITIS must be reported immediately by phone to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at 625-8318 or toll-free 1-888-294-6630, ext. 8318 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm). After hours and on weekends/holidays call Thunder Bay Answering Service at (807) 624-1280.
Viral and other forms must be reported by the next working day by fax, phone or mail.
- Fax: (807) 625-4822
- Phone: 625-8318 or toll-free at 1-888-294—6630, ext. 8318
- Mail: 999 Balmoral Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6E7
Epidemiology
Aetiologic Agent:
Bacterial meningitis is caused by the following bacteria:
Haemophilis influenza (non-b types); Staphylococcus aureus; E. coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus morganii and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Viral meningitis may be caused by a variety of viruses, many of which are associated with other diseases that can cause the illness. These include:
• Enteroviruses, coxsackievirus, echovirus, and arboviruses
• Measles, mumps, herpes simplex, varicella
• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
At least half the cases of viral meningitis have no obvious causative agent.
Clinical Presentation:
Meningitis has a very sudden onset, usually with high fever, severe headache, vomiting, confusion, seizures, progressive lethargy, drowsiness, stiff neck, and skin rash especially on hands and feet. Petechial rashes and other types of rashes may also occur depending on causative agent. Newborns and infants may not have all the classic symptoms above. They may present with irritability, may refuse meals, have unusual sleep patterns and constant crying; newborns and infants may also have the soft spots on their heads bulge and a lower than normal body temperature.
Modes of transmission:
Depends on infectious agent, however, usually by direct contact, droplets, carrier state and discharges from nose or throat.
Incubation Period:
Depends on causative agent for both bacterial and viral.
Period of Communicability:
For bacterial, usually as long as organisms are present; effective antibiotic treatment reduces communicability after 24 – 48 hours. For viral, it varies according to causative agent.
Risk Factors/Susceptibility
Susceptibility decreases with age; those not immunized with relevant vaccines are also susceptible.
Other risk factors include:
• Injection drug use/alcoholism
• Chronic illness/underlying medical condition
• Immunocompromised
• Maternal infection/pregnant
• Organ/tissue transplant
• Receipt of cochlear implant (bacterial)
Diagnosis & Laboratory Testing
Probable Case: Clinically compatible signs and symptoms of meningitis (characterized by fever, headache, stiff neck and pleocytosis)
Confirmed Case: As above with: Isolation of an organism (i.e. bacterial, viral or other) from an appropriate clinical site (e.g. cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood)
Testing Information & Requisition
Treatment & Case Management
For bacterial meningitis, routine practices and respiratory droplet precautions are recommended until 24 hours after the start of treatment depending on the causative organism. Treatment with the appropriate and strain sensitive antibiotic is under the direction of the attending health care provider.
Provide education to the case about the illness and methods to prevent the spread of infection.
Personal prevention measures for bacterial meningitis include: vaccination if available, avoiding crowded living quarters whenever practical, education about cough etiquette, hand hygiene and the risk of sharing items contaminated with saliva, e.g. cutlery, water bottles, lipstick, etc. For viral meningitis, there are no specific preventative measures available.
Contacts are those persons who live in the same household, attend the same child day care setting or have had sexual and other intimate contact, such as sharing eating utensils, or drinks, with the case.
Patient Information
References