Notification class
Class 1 notifiable eventHealth care providers report it immediately on suspicion to the Medical Officer of Health at their parish health department, or to the National Surveillance Unit, within 24 hours of contact.

Case definition

Sudden onset of fever with signs and symptoms of meningeal involvement.

Specimen

1-2 sets of blood cultures and CSF

For suspected viral etiology send CSF on ice

Laboratory

Hospital Bacteriology Lab or National Public Health Lab

Timeline for investigation

1 week

Source: National Surveillance Manual

How it’s monitored

Notified as it occurs and followed up with an investigation report. The weekly bulletin gives confirmed cases for the year to date, beside last year’s.

The figures

The National Surveillance Unit publishes the latest figures every week.

For health professionals