Meningococcal disease rates fall, but infants and vulnerable communities remain at highest risk

The report, found that the number of notifications fell from 21 cases in 2023 to 18 cases in 2024, largely due to a decrease in cases among children under five years old.

While the overall trend is encouraging, the report highlights ongoing inequities and the continued impact of the disease on some of the country's most vulnerable children.

EHINZ’s Senior Intelligence Analyst Dr Mui Nguyen says meningococcal disease can cause serious illness, including meningitis and septicaemia and can be life-threatening.

"Although case numbers are relatively low, meningococcal disease can have devastating consequences. Continued monitoring helps us identify which groups are most at risk and where prevention efforts can have the greatest impact."

The report found that infants under one year of age continue to experience the highest rates of meningococcal disease. Over the 2022 and 2024, infants had a disease rate of 21 per 100,000, 35 times higher than children aged 10 to 14 years.

Dr Nguyen explains that infants remain the most vulnerable age group.

“The rate among children under one year of age is significantly higher than for older children, underscoring the importance of continued vigilance among parents, caregivers and health professionals."

Meningococcal B remained the most common strain affecting children aged zero to 14 years, accounting for the majority of cases.

Māori and Pacific children experienced meningococcal disease rates four to six times higher than European and other children. Children living in the most deprived communities had more than three times the rate of disease compared with those living in the least deprived areas.

“Understanding the factors that increase risk, including household crowding and exposure to second-hand smoke, is important for protecting children and reducing the burden of disease."

Despite the decline in notifications, researchers say the findings reinforce the need for continued prevention efforts, particularly for infants and communities disproportionately affected by the disease.