Surveillance snapshot: Bacterial meningitis among beneficiaries of the military health system, 1998-2013.

Abstract

From 1998 to 2013 (partial year), 3,782 beneficiaries of the Military Health System (MHS) were diagnosed as cases of bacterial meningitis. Cases were ascertained from diagnoses recorded in special electronic reports of meningococcal meningitis (a Reportable Medical Event in the MHS) or in records of inpatient hospital stays in which bacterial meningitis was documented in the primary
or secondary diagnostic position. Among the three types of benefi ciary groups, the proportions of meningitis cases by bacterial type varied.

In active and Reserve/Guard component service members, meningococcal meningitis was the most commonly documented specifi ed type of bacterial meningitis. Among all other benefi ciaries (e.g., spouses, children, retirees, etc.) streptococcal meningitis was the most commonly specifi ed type of bacterial meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis was diagnosed among 91 active component service members, 14 Reserve/Guard service members, and 251 other benefi ciaries (Figure 2). Th e overall rate in active component service members was 0.41 per 100,000 person-years. The incidence rate was relatively stable from 1998 to 2008, and then varied greatly from 2009 through 2013. In 2009 and 2011, there were
no cases of meningococcal meningitis in active component service members. During the entire surveillance period, there were documented an additional 266 cases of meningococcal disease that were not recorded as meningitis. These included meningococcemia (n=150), carditis (n=13), and other specified and unspecifi ed meningococcal infections (n=103). These cases affected 38 active component members, 6 Reserve and Guard members, and 222 other benefi ciaries.

Citation:

AFHSC. Surveillance snapshot: Bacterial meningitis among beneficiaries of the military health system, 1998-2013. MSMR. 2013 Nov;20(11):15.