On February 16, 2024, we received a laboratory report of an individual who presented to a standalone ER, and after evaluation was sent home. When their laboratory report yielded a positive result for bacterial meningitis, Neisseria meningitidis, the individual was then called and asked to report to a hospital for further evaluation.

The individual was subsequently admitted to the hospital and their significant other was simultaneously evaluated as a close contact to a case. The couple stated that they lived by themselves and were in Texas for only part of the year. They denied having any other close contacts.

On February 18, TxS2, ESSENCE flagged a Visit of Interest (VOI) in that same jurisdiction indicating “contact with and suspected exposure to meningococcus. Increased risk for exposure to Neisseria meningitidis.”  The public health region alerted the local health department, who began investigating the VOI and found that an individual presented to a hospital claiming to be a close contact to the case. They had spent time with the case and waited with them at the standalone ER. They subsequently received prophylaxis from the hospital to ensure that their exposure did not result in the spread of the infectious disease. Protecting the citizen of Texas and preventing the spread of disease is a public health win!