Mini-epidemic of meningococcal meningitis

During a mini-epidemic of meningococcal meningitis, the profile of 53 patients of miningococcal meningitis admitted in Medical Unit Ill of Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from November, 1987 to October, 1988 was studied. The diagnosis was based on C.S.F. findings and its gram staining. Out of them, 42 patients [79%] were males and 11 patients [21%] were female. There were 3 cases of recurrent meningitis due to chronic otitis media and fracture base of Skull. Overall mortality was 16 cases [30%]. The number of patients admitted with meningococcal meningitis in the same medical unit during 1985, 1986, 1987 [up to October, 31] was Zero 10 and 8 respectively indicating a sudden surge of cases in this study period