Meningitis Surveillance
What is a statistic?
A statistic is the result of applying a calculation to a sample of data. It is used to give information about the population or given sample of a population.
Why is data about meningitis collated?
The collection and analysis of data enables us to track variations in the incidence of the disease, its prevalence in certain areas and highlights any significant trends. This enables the early identification of possible disease outbreaks and epidemics, which can then be managed appropriately. By monitoring the frequency of the disease and how the number of cases change over time, the effectiveness of prevention methods such as vaccination programmes can also be measured.
Epidemiological data provides vital insights into the disease. Epidemiology is a scientific process which attempts to link the effects of factors such as lifestyle (for example, level of smoking or drinking), exposure to disease and mortality. Statistical correlations are developed to indicate the degree of risk that someone with a particular exposure pattern, lifestyle or genetic profile has of contracting the disease.
Where is the data obtained?
The data is collected from four main sources in a variety of different ways:
Notifications of Infectious Diseases (NOIDs)
There has been a statutory requirement for the notification of certain infectious diseases in the UK since the end of the 19th century, including all types of meningitis. Medical practitioners in attendance notify a ‘Proper Officer' of the local authority of all suspected cases on the basis of a clinical diagnosis and symptoms alone. It is then passed on to The Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections (CFI) on a weekly basis, who collate and publish the analyses of local and national trends.
Laboratory Reports
Samples of blood or spinal fluid are taken from patients where the disease is suspected and are sent for analysis locally and to national reference laboratories known as Meningococcal Reference Units (MRU). A case is ‘laboratory confirmed' when the presence of the bacteria or virus which causes the disease, is found in the sample. However, the analysis is unable to establish whether or not the case develops into the disease. Therefore, the laboratory confirmed data only indicates infection. In cases of meningococcal disease, laboratory tests can also determine the serogroup of the bacteria, eg. Group A, B, C, W135 or Y.
Enhanced Surveillance of Meningococcal Disease (ESMD)
Regional enhanced surveillance of meningococcal disease has been mandatory since 1998. Regional consultants are required to report confirmed cases, probable cases and clusters occurring in their district on a weekly basis. Data obtained from all of the available sources is matched and cross referenced, greatly improving disease intelligence, and allowing data comparisons to be made across specific regions of the UK.
Office of National Statistics (ONS)
Mortality statistics have been compiled since 1837 in England and Wales and are based on the underlying cause of death on death certificates. The Office of National Statistics processes and tabulates the data, which can be disaggregated by age, sex, area of residence and cause of death.
How does Meningitis UK use the data?
Meningitis UK constantly monitors and analyses the data from all of the above sources to keep abreast of disease trends. We also collate the data provided through the four Notification Centres in England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland so we can see what is happening in the UK as a whole. Regional data is also collated and compared to the national average to highlight geographical regions where a high incidence of cases have been recorded, to help target our potentially life saving awareness campaigns.
UK Notification Centres
The Notifications of Infectious Diseases are controlled by four separate Notification Centres in the UK: England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. For further information about these, please see the table below.
| Country | Proper Office | Notification Centre | Website |
| England and Wales | Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) | HPA Centre for Infections (CFI) | www.hpa.org.uk |
| Scotland | Consultant in Public Health Medicine (CPHM) | Health Protection Scotland (HPS) | www.hps.scot.nhs.uk |
| Northern Ireland | Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) | Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC NI) | www.cdscni.org.uk |
| Republic of Ireland | The Area Medical Officer and Specialist in Public Health | National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) | www.ndsc.ie |
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