Epidemiology of meningococcal infection in Georgia

: Epidemiology of meningococcal infection in Georgia was studied for 2009-2011. As the official surveillance data shows, morbidity with the infection is characterized by a downward trend. During the analyzed period the morbidity level declined by 2,4 times. The average incidence rate for the period composed 0,95 ± 0,12 per 100 000 population. The infection is unequally spread throughout the country. High incidence is indicated in Tbilisi city and the regions: Ajara and Kvemo Kartli. Children are the most vulnerable population. 81,3% of all the cases fell on the children' population. High incidence rate in children of the age under 1 year is especially alarming, composing 11,52 per 100 000 population. Irrespective of the downward trend meningococcal infection in Georgia remains as a severe disease, high level of lethal outcome (lethality 18,6±3,0%) is the confirmation of that. Lethality is even higher in small children under 1 year - 27,7 ± 7,4%. The study of the isolated N. meningitides from patients with meningococcal meningitides as well as with meningococcemia showed that N. meningitides of the serosgoups B and C are being circulated in Georgia. Epidemiological investigation of the infection foci in terms of medical examination of contact persons of the cases indicated that the causative agents of the same serogroups are also widely circulated among contact subjects. Along of the passive surveillance data on the meningococcal disease, results of active investigation of epidemiological foci of the infection may serve as valuable information for planning of specific prevention measures against the infection.