Risk Factors for Meningococcal Disease in College Students

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis causes an estimated 2400 cases of invasive meningococcal disease annually in the United States with a case fatality rate of 10% to 15%.¹ Meningococcal disease has traditionally been considered a disease of children; however, it is now a leading cause of both meningitis and sepsis in young adults.² Since 1990, the number of meningococcal disease outbreaks has increased including on college campuses³ but outbreaks represent only 2% to 3% of overall meningococcal disease.⁴ Over the past 10 years, rates of meningococcal disease among adolescents and young adults have increased⁵ while rates among college students were not available.