The National Public Health Organization (EDY), in the context of epidemiological surveillance of meningococcal disease outbreaks, informs the following:

General information on meningococcal disease

Meningitidis is a bacterium that colonizes the nasopharynx of asymptomatic individuals. Epidemiology of meningococcal disease is complex and there are chronic bodies that do not get sick and people who will be exposed will be ill.

Asymptomatic meningococcus carriers are about 10% of the general population, but colonization rates vary with age, from 2% in children who do not attend kindergarten up to 24-37% of adolescents and young adults aged 15-24 years. Meningococcus is transmitted by direct close contact from person to person with respiratory droplets.

In rare cases, meningitis can penetrate a person’s nasopharyngeal epithelium, enter the bloodstream and cause life -threatening disease, such as microbiamia, meningococcal sepsis or meningitis. It is known internationally that there are thunderous forms of meningococcal disease.

Risk factors

Disease risk factors are smoking, recent disease disease disease, recent consumption of antibiotics, immunological deficits, person’s genetic substrate, age (infants younger than year, adolescents and young adults) The recent change of living environment, etc. It should be noted that after the rise of respiratory viruses, there is an outbreak of meningococcal disease.

Epidemiological elements

In Greece, in the year 2024, 37 cases of meningococcal disease were reported to the ERD and in November of that year a death was recorded in a 16 -year -old person. From the beginning of 2025 until today 29/1/2025, 8 cases of meningococcal disease have been declared. With today’s data, the conditions for the conflict of meningococcal disease is not met in the Municipality of Patras, for this purpose no ERYA step has been gone to the area.

Prevention and Management Measures of the recent incident

For the recent case of a meningococcal disease at a University Foundation Student in the Municipality of Patras, a trace of close dangerous contacts is ongoing and a chemotherapy is given to them. EDY is alert and closely monitors the epidemiological data of meningococcal disease and is on alert to apply additional measures, though it is necessary.

Significant clarifications

• It is clarified that the meningococcus germ does not survive in the environment, so it does not require the application of specific disinfection measures and the closure of educational units to prevent transmission of meningococcal disease.

• EDY highlights the great importance of early detection and treatment of meningococcal disease. Citizens and especially young people with clinical symptoms compatible with the disease (fever and rash) should immediately apply to a doctor. Doctors on suspicion of meningitis should immediately administer treatment and refer to a hospital.