Meningococcal Surveillance Australia: Reporting period 1 July to 30 September 2025

Monica Lahra1, Siobhan Hurley2, Tiffany Hogan2

  • 1NSW Health Pathology, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for STI and AMR and Neisseria Reference Laboratory, Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia. monica.lahra@health.nsw.gov.au.

Insights

The Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme (AMSP) tracks invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases. Recent data includes antimicrobial resistance for key antibiotics, enhancing public health insights.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) remains a significant public health concern globally.
  • Surveillance programs are crucial for monitoring disease trends and informing prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report on the number of laboratory-confirmed invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases in Australia.
  • To provide updated antimicrobial resistance data for key antibiotics used in treating IMD.

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory confirmation of IMD cases using culture and molecular-based techniques.
  • Data collection and reporting through the Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme (AMSP).
  • Inclusion of antimicrobial resistance testing for ceftriaxone, penicillin, ciprofloxacin, and rifampicin starting in 2024.

Main Results:

  • Quarterly reports detail IMD case numbers by jurisdiction and serogroup.
  • Expanded 2024 reports incorporate antimicrobial resistance profiles for common antibiotics.
  • Annual reports provide a comprehensive analysis of laboratory confirmations.

Conclusions:

  • The AMSP provides essential data for understanding IMD epidemiology in Australia.
  • The inclusion of antimicrobial resistance data enhances the program's value for treatment guidelines and public health interventions.

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