What is meningococcal meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Meningococcal meningitis is a form of bacterial meningitis caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcus), and is most common in children especially those younger than age five years.

Revised and reviewed by Dr Andries Dreyer, Pathologist (Clinical Microbiologist), Centre for Tuberculosis (incorporating the NTBRL), National Institute for Communicable Diseases February 2015.