Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection of the brain lining and is spread by nasal droplets.
- Incidence varies seasonally
- Symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting and in severe cases shock and coma
- Complications include short and long term brain damage
- The death rate is about 10%
- Two types of vaccines are available. One is now a routine NHMRC recommended vaccine. The other may be required for specific destinations for either health or legal purposes