title: Outbreak of Meningococcal Infection amongst Soldiers Deployed in Operations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Meningococcal infection may lead to life threatening meningitis and fulminant meningococcal sepsis. Sporadic cases of meningococcal infection have been reported in soldiers but no outbreak in soldiers has been reported earlier from India. This outbreak in soldiers serving in counter insurgency role under field setting was effectively controlled without compromising their operational commitment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an epidemiological investigation and control of an outbreak of meningococcal infection, bringing out the predisposing factors and highlighting the role of early diagnosis and management of cases. Mass chemoprophylaxis in contacts was used as an effective control measure in the absence of vaccine in this institution based outbreak.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of a total of 17 cases reported, 14 presented as meningitis and three as meningococcemia. Two cases of meningococcemia ended fatally. Serogroup A of Neisseria meningitidis was responsible for this outbreak. Gross over- crowding was the predisposing factor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An outbreak of meningococcal infection in soldiers deployed in counter- insurgency role was effectively contained using mass chemoprophylaxis in the absence of meningococcal vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Reader (Dept of Community Medicine), AFMC Pune-40.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kushwaha
authors.affiliation: DDGFI, Integrated HQs of Ministry of Defence, New Delhi.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.affiliation: Prof & Head (Dept of Biochemistry), AFMC Pune-40.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Arora
keywords: Meningitis; Meningococcal infection; Outbreak; Soldier