Occupational transmission of Neisseria meningitidis --- California, 2009.

Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis . The case-fatality rate for meningococcal disease is 10%--14%; survivors can experience brain damage, hearing loss, limb loss, and learning disabilities . On December 11, 2009, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) initiated an investigation of two secondary cases of meningococcal disease in a police officer and a respiratory therapist following occupational contact with an unconscious adult. This report describes the events surrounding occupational transmission of N. meningitidis and recommends measures to control and prevent secondary transmission of N. meningitidis. Breaches in infection control, notification delays, and lack of worker exposure assessment and postexposure chemoprophylaxis (PEP) likely contributed to secondary cases. Employers should provide adequate infection-control training to staff members, PEP to exposed workers, and report notifiable diseases promptly.