Meningitis

Meningitis is the inflammation (swelling) of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by infection. It can be fatal and requires immediate medical care. Meningitis can be caused by several species of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Most infections can be spread from person to person. Injuries, cancers, and drugs cause a small number of cases. Bacterial meningitis is the most common dangerous type. Meningitis can affect people of any age.

Local Information

2023 Statistics

Incidence rate is the number of new cases of disease divided by the number of persons at risk for the disease during a particular time period.

Cases:
6*

*Include confirmed cases in 2023.

Incidence rate per 100,000 in 2023: 4.4

Incidence rate per 100,000 of Meningitis by year

A line graph showing the crude rate and five year moving average of Meningitis by year within the Health Unit region between 2014 and 2023

Data Sources

Case Counts: Public Health Ontario. Query: Case counts of reportable diseases by public health unit and year. Toronto, ON: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion; extracted on April 23, 2024.
Population estimates: Statistics Canada 2014-2022, IntelliHEALTH Ontario, Ministry of Health, extracted on April 23, 2024.
Population projections: Statistics Canada, 2023, IntelliHEALTH Ontario, Ministry of Health, extracted on April 23, 2024.

More Information about meningitis

Reporting

Report to the Health Unit by the next business day by phone at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229 if meningitis is suspected or confirmed as per Ontario Regulation 135/18 and amendments under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O., c.H.7.

Should one go to childcare, school, or work if they have meningitis?

Contact the Health Unit. Exclusion depends on the causative agent.

Follow the direction of your healthcare provider, public health case manager, or occupational health at your workplace.

Note: Exclusion guidelines may differ for healthcare workers.

Vaccine Information

Some bacterial types of meningitis are preventable by vaccination. Check your vaccination records or call the Vaccine Preventable Diseases program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5252 to book a vaccination appointment or to obtain additional information.

Vaccines can prevent meningitis caused by meningococcus, pneumococcus, varicella, and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

Healthcare Provider Information

Infectious Disease Protocol, Appendix 1: Meningitis, acute: 1)bacterial; ii)viral, and iii)other

Contact our Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229, or by email to cdc@healthunit.ca for more information.

Last updated: August 2024, by CDC