What We Do
Santé publique France is responsible for the epidemiological surveillance of IIM, which makes it possible to describe the characteristics of patients, monitor trends in transmission within the population, detect any abnormal situations early on, and, if necessary, implement measures to prevent risk in the affected population. Santé publique France is also responsible for monitoring vaccination coverage for meningococcal vaccination and develops tools to inform and promote vaccination.
Epidemiological surveillance of meningococcal infections
Surveillance of IIM relies on mandatory reporting and the characterization of strains by the National Reference Center (CNR) for meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae.
This surveillance aims to track trends in IIM and the characteristics of patients, and to detect abnormal situations (clustered cases, epidemics, hyperendemic outbreaks). Epidemiological data also contribute to the development or revision of vaccination strategies.
Epidemiological surveillance makes it possible to describe incidence rates by age and serogroup, and to assess the impact of vaccination strategies on disease incidence. The identification and investigation of vaccine failures are also carried out in collaboration with the NRC.
Mandatory Reporting
IIMs are among the diseases subject to mandatory reporting. Cases must be reported without delay by clinicians and laboratory professionals to the Regional Health Agencies (ARS), which identify contacts of the cases and implement individual preventive measures (antibiotic prophylaxis, and in some cases vaccination; see the chapter on prophylaxis). The reporting criteria and the IIM notification form are specified below.
Definition of cases to be reported and notified
| Reported cases | Type of notification form | Notified cases | Reporting and notification criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probable and confirmed cases |
Simple downloadable form | Probable and confirmed cases |
Probable and confirmed cases: At least one of the following 4 criteria: 1. Bacteriological isolation of meningococci or a positive PCR result from a normally sterile site (blood, CSF, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, anterior chamber fluid of the eye) OR from a purpuric skin lesion 2. Presence of Gram-negative diplococci on direct examination of CSF 3. CSF consistent with purulent bacterial meningitis (excluding isolation of another bacterium) AND presence of purpuric skin lesions of any type 4. Presence of purpura fulminans (purpura in which lesions rapidly increase in size and number, with at least one necrotic or ecchymotic lesion larger than three millimeters in diameter associated with a severe infectious syndrome not attributable to another etiology. The state of shock attests to the extreme severity of this syndrome). |
Notification Form
Informing the public about the reporting of notifiable diseases
Other surveillance tools
Form: “National Surveillance of Clustered Cases of Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD)”
National Reference Center for Meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae
Submitting a specimen (submission procedures, specimen form, turnaround time for results, contact information, etc.)
National Reference Center for Meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae
Institut Pasteur
Director: Prof. Muhamed-Kheir TAHA
Tel.: 01 45 68 84 38
Email: muhamed-kheir.taha@pasteur.fr
Address:
Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, 25-28, rue du Docteur Roux - 75724 Paris Cedex 15
Laboratory: 01 40 61 38 83 - Secretariat: 01 40 61 31 08 - Fax: 01 40 61 30 34 - Email: meningo@pasteur.fr
https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/sante-publique/CNR/les-cnr/meningocoques
Preventive measures against meningococcal infections
Santé publique France helps promote vaccination through various tools (website, promotional campaigns, brochures, etc.). We have created an informational website on the vaccines currently available in France to provide reliable, scientifically validated answers to questions that the public and healthcare professionals may have on the subject.
In addition, Santé publique France conducts communication initiatives on vaccine-preventable meningococcal infections through brochures. All of these resources are available in the “Resources” tab.
In relation to
Vaccination
thematic dossier
Contagious diseases most often affect children at a very young age. Because children are particularly vulnerable, they are a priority target for vaccination programs.
