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[Meningococcal disease in the winter season 1988-1989]

C A Postema1, M A Bilkert-Mooiman, H A Bijlmer

  • 1Geneeskundige Hoofdinspectie van de Volksgezondheid, afd. Infectieziekten, Rijswijk.

Insights

During a meningococcal disease epidemic in The Netherlands, reporting times shortened. This study analyzes 304 cases from 1988-1989, comparing them to the 1966 epidemic.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health Surveillance

Context:

  • Analysis of meningococcal disease (MD) cases in The Netherlands.
  • Comparison with data from the 1966 epidemic, the last major outbreak.
  • Focus on the period from week 45, 1988, to week 21, 1989, encompassing 304 notified cases.

Purpose:

  • To describe the epidemiology of meningococcal disease during a recent epidemic.
  • To compare current disease patterns with historical epidemic data.
  • To investigate changes in disease reporting timeliness.

Summary:

  • Detailed review of 304 meningococcal disease cases reported in The Netherlands between late 1988 and mid-1989.
  • Comparative analysis highlights differences and similarities with the 1966 epidemic.
  • Observation of a reduced interval between illness onset and case notification during the epidemic period.

Impact:

  • Provides insights into disease dynamics and reporting behavior during meningococcal epidemics.
  • Informs public health strategies for surveillance and response.
  • Contributes to understanding temporal trends in infectious disease reporting.

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