Invasive meningococcal disease: Monitoring

Invasive meningococcal disease has been a nationally notifiable disease in all provinces and territories since 1924. It's a priority for monitoring and control efforts.

Canada has different numbers of cases of meningococcal infection every year, and sometimes there can be large outbreaks. If a laboratory in Canada finds meningococcus in a sample, health care providers report it to their local public health unit. The unit then forwards the information to their provincial or territorial departments of health.

If the case meets the national case definition, it's reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. The definition for a case is confirmed evidence of the disease or probable evidence with no other cause. Reporting is done through systems such as the Enhanced Invasive Meningococcal Disease Surveillance System.

These efforts are important as they help:

• collect national surveillance data
• respond with control measures
• meet international requirements from the:
• World Health Organization
• Pan American Health Organization