Acute Communicable
Disease Control

 
Contact Information
County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Acute Communicable Disease Control
313 N. Figueroa Street, #212
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 240-7941
Fax: (213) 482-4856
Email:acdc2@ph.lacounty.gov

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Acute Communicable Disease Control
Invasive Meningococcal Diseaseimage of a brain

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an uncommon but severe infection caused by bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. IMD most often presents as meningitis or bacteremia. Both are serious and can be deadly in a matter of hours. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of IMD are important due to risk of severe morbidity and death.

People spread meningococcal bacteria to others through respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) during close contact (for example coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact (for example sharing a room). Crowding and mass gatherings have been associated with meningococcal disease outbreaks in the past.

Meningococcal vaccination, recommended for all preteens/teens and persons at increased risk, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of close contacts are two strategies to help prevent this disease. 

Current Situation in Los Angeles County:

IMD cases in Los Angeles County have increased in recent years, after decades of a steady decline, similar to the national surveillance trend.

Historically, resistance to the antibiotics used for meningococcal treatment and prophylaxis has been uncommon in the United States. However, the number of cases caused by penicillin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant serogroup Y strains have increased in recent years.

Recommendations for Providers:

Healthcare providers should maintain a heightened index of suspicion for IMD and immediately report all suspected and laboratory confirmed cases to LAC DPH. Suspect cases include those with clinical suspicion of IMD or evidence of gram-negative diplococci on gram stain. LAC DPH will assist with identification of close contacts and provide PEP recommendations to close contacts of the case. 

Due to the detection of ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of Neisseria meningitidis in southern California, LAC DPH no longer recommends the use of ciprofloxacin for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of close contacts of patients with IMD. Rifampin, ceftriaxone or azithromycin are recommended options for IMD PEP in LAC (see table below).

These updated IMD PEP recommendations provided by California Department of Public Health also apply to Imperial, Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernadino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in southern California.

Empiric therapy for suspected IMD remains unchanged and should include an extended-spectrum cephalosporin such as cefotaxime or ceftriaxone.

Additionally, providers are also requested to obtain antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) on meningococcal isolates to inform additional changes to meningococcal disease treatment and prophylaxis guidance.

Recommended IMD Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Regimen:
Medication Age Dose Duration Notes
Rifampin  <1 month  5 mg/kg, every 12 h, po  2 days Discussion with an expert for infants <1 month of age.
≥1 month
10 mg/kg (maximum 600 mg), every 12 h, po
2 days Can interfere with efficacy of oral contraceptives and some seizure and anticoagulant medications; can stain soft contact lenses.
Not recommended for use in pregnant people.  
Adult 600mg every 12 h, po   
 Ceftriaxone <15 years   125mg, IM Single dose To decrease pain at injection site, dilute with 1% lidocaine. 
≥15 years – Adult   250mg, IM
 Azithromycin Pediatric 10mg/kg (maximum 500mg), po Single dose Equivalent to rifampin for eradication of N. meningitidis from nasopharynx in one study of young adults.  
Adult 500mg, po

News and Updates 

 Resources for Providers

 Meningococcal Disease: Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Information

Meningococcal Disease
Frequently Asked Questions
(English) (Spanish)
 
Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.
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