Confirmed Case
Invasive disease with laboratory confirmation of infection by:
- Isolation of N. meningitidis from a normally sterile site (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, joint, pleural, pericardial, or peritoneal fluid), OR
- Demonstration of N. meningitidis DNA by Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) from a normally sterile site.
Clinical / Probable Case
Invasive disease with purpura fulminans or petechiae and no other apparent cause, with or without demonstration of N. meningitidis antigen in the CSF
Definition of Clinical Illness
Invasive meningococcal disease usually manifests itself as meningitis and/or septicemia, although other manifestations may be observed. Invasive disease may progress rapidly to purpura fulminans, shock, and death.