Invasive Meningococcal Disease case definition – guidance note on meningococcal infection of the conjunctiva

Published:

The meningococcal disease case definition has been amended to include reporting of meningococcal infection of the conjunctiva to Public Health.

Although meningococcal infection of the conjunctiva, without clinical evidence of sepsis is not notifiable, this is considered an indication for public health action because it may precede invasive disease or invasive meningococcal disease in a contact. Therefore, these infections should be reported to Public Health. Isolates from these cases should be sent to the Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory for confirmation and grouping.

The updated Invasive Meningococcal Disease case definition is available on the HPSC website here: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vaccinepreventable/invasivemeningococcaldisease/casedefinition/