title: Enhanced surveillance scheme for suspected meningococcal disease in five regional health authorities in England: 1998.
abstract: Enhanced surveillance of meningococcal disease (ESMD) began in five English regions on 1st January 1998. The aims of the scheme were to obtain accurate incidence data and develop a robust surveillance system with which to monitor the impact of a new meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine. During 1998, 2,314 suspected cases of meningococcal disease were identified. The majority (84%) was classified as invasive meningococcal disease, with infection of N. meningitidis confirmed in 66%. Sixteen per cent of suspected cases were subsequently given an alternative diagnosis. Age differences between those classified as meningococcal disease and those not, implied a higher index of suspicion of meningococcal disease in younger children. Regions with high rates of meningococcal disease were due to a higher rate of serogroup C. ESMD increased ascertainment of meningococcal disease and deaths. Cases were 34% greater than identified through statutory notifications, an additional 6.8% confirmed infections were identified than were reported to the PHLS Meningococcal Reference Unit (MRU) and deaths were 24% greater than death registrations. These data were used to inform the national meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccination programme in England and Wales. In 1999 ESMD was extended to all regions of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
authors.affiliation: Immunisation Division, PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ. kdavison@phls.org.uk
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Crowcroft
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ramsay
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Begg
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Kaczmarski
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Orr
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D038542:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines