Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease can look like influenza (the flu) in its early stages and be difficult to diagnose, but it quickly gets much worse. The symptoms and signs may not all show up at once, and the illness may develop gradually over a few days, or much more quickly – over a few hours. People with meningococcal disease may have some or all of the following symptoms:

Meningococcal disease bacteria live in the back of the nose and throat of about 1 in 10 healthy people, but only very rarely cause illness. The bacteria are spread by coughing, sneezing and intimate kissing. Very close or ongoing contact (eg, living in the same house) is usually required for the bacteria to spread to other people.

Meningococcal disease can affect anyone of any age, but those most at risk are:

• babies under 1 year of age
• Māori and Pacific Peoples children under 5 years of age
• teenagers and young adults
• people living in overcrowded households
• young people in hostels or residential centres
• people exposed to tobacco smoke
• people with a weakened immune system
• anyone with another type of respiratory infection, such as the flu (influenza).

People can catch meningococcal disease at any time of the year, but it’s more common in winter and spring.

Meningococcal disease can be difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms are often similar to those of other illnesses, eg, influenza (the flu). If your doctor suspects meningococcal disease, you will be referred to hospital where samples of your blood or cerebrospinal fluid (fluid around your spinal cord) will be collected and sent to the laboratory to check if an infection is present.

The infection is treated with antibiotics to kill the bacteria. It's important that treatment starts as soon as possible – meningococcal disease often develops quickly over a few hours and can cause serious disability or even death. If your doctor suspects you have meningococcal disease, they will give you antibiotics right away. Antibiotics help reduce the risk of complications and death.

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You may find it useful to look at some Self-management and healthy living apps.

Meningococcal disease bacteria can be spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing and kissing. Therefore, to prevent the spread, cover your nose or mouth when you sneeze or cough, and wash and dry your hands well. 

What if I come into contact with someone who has meningococcal disease?

If you come into close contact with someone who has meningococcal disease, you're at the highest risk of developing the infection during the 7 days after the person developed symptoms. The local public health service follows up people who have recently come into close contact with anyone who has developed meningococcal disease and may provide you with preventive antibiotics. The antibiotics stop the spread of the disease, but you may still be at risk of getting the infection. This means you still need to watch for any symptoms, and get medical help quickly.

Vaccines are available to prevent against meningococcal disease. They protect against most, but not all types of meningococcal disease. In Aotearoa New Zealand vaccination is free for groups of people with a high risk of meningococcal disease. This includes:

• babies under 12 months of age as part of the National Immunisation Schedule(external link) (children under 5 years of age who haven't had all their doses can catch up for free until 31 August 2025)
• people from13 to 25 years of age who are going into, or are in, their first year of a close-living situation
• tamariki and adults with high risk medical conditions.

Read more about the meningococcal vaccine and who is eligible for it.