Normal flora - humans are the reservoir
Quadrivalent vaccine prevents disease by serogroups A/C/W-135/Y
Occurs in outbreaks particularly in crowded setting
Colonizer and cause of invasive disease: meningitis, meningococcemia, and rarely pneumonia, septic arthritis, pericarditis, conjunctivitis, and others.
Generally of little significance when cultured from nonsterile sites i.e. genital, pharynx
Invasive meningococcal disease is notifiable - call Public Health ASAP
Contact and droplet precautions until 24hrs of appropriate antimicrobial therapy
Prophylaxis may be required for close contacts and healthcare workers;
