Meningococcal Disease (Neisseria meningitidis)

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. Most IMD cases are caused by 5 types (serogroups) of the meningococcal bacteria: A, B, C, Y and W. It is a rare, but very serious bacterial illness.


October 2025 Update

Since December 2023, Manitoba has identified an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases caused by serogroup W.

Typically, about six cases of IMD are reported every year in Manitoba from all serogroups combined. Cases have not been linked to each other and have occurred in all regions, with the highest rates in the Northern Health Region. This outbreak has also disproportionately affected people from Indigenous communities, especially infants less than 12 months of age.

Public health follows up with all close contacts of identified cases and offers antibiotics and vaccination when the IMD case is caused by a vaccine-preventable strain.

Number of Confirmed Cases of Serogroup W IMD in Manitoba

Month Year
2023 2024 2025
January 0 3 0
February 0 2 2
March 0 2 2
April 0 4 3
May 1 2 3
June 1 2 1
July 0 2 4
August 2 2 2
September 1 3 4
October 0 1 0
November 2 1 1
December 5 1
Total (annual)
[Crude rate per 100,000 population]		 12
[0.8]		 25
[1.7]		 22
[1.5]
Deaths (annual)
[% of cases with a fatal outcome]		 0 2
[8.0]		 4
[18.2]

Data updated on December 5, 2025. Data on the website will be updated monthly on the first Friday.

Note: Fluctuations in case numbers are expected as cases are investigated, and information is updated.



Meningococcal Vaccine Program Update (updated October 2025)

Vaccine eligibility for the meningococcal ACYW (Men-C-ACYW) vaccine is being expanded to protect infants living in or closely connected to Indigenous communities.


Manitoba’s Meningococcal Outbreak Vaccine Eligibility:

In addition to routine immunizations offered at 12 months of age and Grade 6, up to two additional doses of Men-C-ACYW vaccine may be offered to infants and children aged 6 weeks to under 12 months who:

  • live in an Indigenous community in Manitoba; or
  • travel regularly to Indigenous communities in Manitoba; or
  • have household visitors from Indigenous communities in Manitoba.

Age of infant # of doses Schedule
6 weeks to less than 6 months 2 1st dose
2nd dose, 2 months after 1st dose
Routine meningococcal vaccine at 12 months of age
6 months to less than 12 months of age 1 1st dose
Routine meningococcal vaccine at 12 months of age and at least 2 months after 1st dose

Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to make sure their children are up to date with the following routine meningococcal immunizations:

  • As of March 1, 2024, infants at 12 months of age receive a dose of Men-C-ACYW vaccine as part of the routine infant immunization program.
  • Additionally, children born between January 1, 2020, and February 28, 2023 who previously received Men-C-C vaccine should also receive a dose of Men-C-ACYW vaccine at least 4 weeks since the Men-C-C vaccination.
  • Children in Grade 6 receive a dose of Men-C-ACYW vaccine as part of the School Immunization Program.

For further information, refer to the Manitoba Immunization Program- Eligibility Criteria for Publicly Funded Vaccines: www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/vaccineeligibility.html.


Vaccine Booking Information

If your child is eligible for the meningococcal vaccine, you can book an appointment directly with your child’s health care provider or local public health (if outside Winnipeg). A list of public health offices in Manitoba is available here.

Note: Pharmacists cannot administer the meningococcal vaccine as part of the publicly funded immunization program.


Symptoms

Many people with the meningococcal bacteria do not become sick but can still spread the disease to others. For those that become sick, symptoms of the disease can develop within two to 10 days of exposure to the bacteria. In the early stages, meningococcal disease can have similar symptoms of other respiratory viral infections (e.g., COVID-19, influenza). It can also occur at the same time or after these viral infections.

Meningococcal disease can also progress very rapidly. Individuals who develop the following symptoms should seek urgent medical care immediately:

  • high fever,
  • severe headache,
  • drowsiness,
  • stiff neck,
  • sensitivity to light,
  • vomiting and/or diarrhea,
  • severe aches or pains,
  • dark purple rash
  • loss of consciousness

As the disease progresses it can also cause shock (low blood pressure) and damage to many organs in the body which can lead to death.


Causes

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. About 1 in 10 people have these bacteria that live in the lining of their nose or throat. Many people may not develop symptoms of the disease; but can still spread the disease to others as a “carrier”.

The meningococcal bacteria are spread though person to person contact by coughing, sneezing, kissing or by sharing personal items such as water bottles or food. It generally takes close or lengthy contact with an infected person to get the disease. Those at increased risk include household contacts, roommates, children in daycares and those that would have direct contact with the infected person’s saliva or spit (e.g., kissing).


Treatment

There are antibiotics available to treat meningococcal disease and it is important to start them immediately. Depending on the severity of the infection, other treatments may be required, including breathing support, surgery to remove dead tissue, and wound care for damaged skin. Even with prompt medical treatment, 20% can suffer from permanent brain damage, loss of limbs (e.g., fingers, arms, legs) and/or neurologic disabilities including hearing loss, seizures, paralysis, or developmental delays. Meningococcal infections are fatal in 10% of those infected.


Prevention

Vaccines can prevent IMD caused by 5 types of the meningococcal bacteria: A, B, C, Y and W. It is important for parents and caregivers to ensure their children are up to date on their routine immunizations because these include vaccines which protects against meningococcal disease.

Manitoba offers meningococcal vaccines through Manitoba’s Recommended Routine Immunization Schedule at 12 months of age and the School Immunization Program in grade 6. Meningococcal vaccines are also offered free-of-charge to those with certain high-risk medical conditions. Some infants under 12 months of age can also receive up to two additional doses of Men-C-ACYW vaccine if they meet Manitoba’s meningococcal outbreak eligibility criteria. For further information on meningococcal vaccines available in Manitoba and eligibility, refer to Manitoba’s Eligibility Criteria for Publicly Funded Immunizations at www.manitoba.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/vaccineeligibility.html

Other preventive steps include practicing good hand hygiene, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and avoiding sharing of personal items such as water bottles, lipstick, or cigarettes.

It is important to see your doctor if you become ill after being in contact with someone diagnosed with a meningococcal infection. If you test positive for meningococcal disease, public health will be notified and will ask for a list of your close contacts. These contacts will be offered an antibiotic to be taken as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming ill. Immunizations will also be offered to these close contacts if the meningococcal disease is caused by a vaccine-preventable strain.


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