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Published on: November 5, 2019
Meningococcal Surveillance Australia: Reporting period 1 October to 31 December 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.
Communicable Diseases Intelligence (2018)
|June 15, 2026
Summary
The Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme (AMSP) tracks invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases. Updated reports now include antimicrobial resistance data, enhancing surveillance for this serious infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) remains a significant public health concern globally.
- Effective surveillance is crucial for understanding disease burden and guiding public health interventions.
- The Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme (AMSP) plays a vital role in monitoring IMD across Australia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the number of laboratory-confirmed invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases in Australia.
- To detail IMD cases by jurisdiction and serogroup.
- To introduce and report antimicrobial resistance data for key antibiotics used in IMD treatment, starting in 2024.
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.
Main Results:
- Quarterly reports provide case numbers of IMD by jurisdiction and serogroup.
- Expanded 2024 reports include antimicrobial resistance data for specified antibiotics.
- Annual reports offer a comprehensive analysis of laboratory confirmations for IMD.
Conclusions:
- The AMSP provides essential data for monitoring IMD trends in Australia.
- The inclusion of antimicrobial resistance data enhances the programme's ability to inform treatment guidelines and public health strategies.
- Continued surveillance is critical for managing and preventing invasive meningococcal disease.
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