[an error occurred while processing this directive] 2004 Infectious Disease - Meningitis (aseptic) [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]

2004 Indiana Report of Infectious Diseases

Meningitis (aseptic)

Table 1. Meningitis (aseptic) Cases by Race and Sex, Indiana, 2004
  2004 2000-2004
Cases Rate* Cases
Total 210 3.37 927
Race
   White 151 2.73 668
   Black 11 2.01 77
   Other 5 3.13 11
   Not Reported 43 - 171
Sex
   Male 99 3.23 459
   Female 111 3.50 465
   Not Reported 0 - 3

*Rate per 100,000 population based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s   population data as of July 1, 2004

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Aseptic meningitis is the most common type of meningitis and is caused by different types of viruses. Most cases of aseptic meningitis are caused by enteroviruses that can infect the stomach and small intestine. Aseptic meningitis can be spread through direct contact with nose and throat secretions and transmitted by fecal contamination. Symptoms of meningitis include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, and drowsiness or confusion.

In 2004, there were 210 cases of aseptic meningitis reported in Indiana, for a rate of 3.37 cases per 100,000 population (Table 1). Figure 1 shows reported cases by year for
2000-2004. Incidence was greatest during the late summer and fall months (Figure 2). As shown in Figure 3, age-specific rates were greatest for infants under the age of 1 year (19.74), followed by adults aged 30-39 years (4.88). The rate for blacks (2.01) decreased significantly from 2003 (4.01) and is slightly lower than for whites (2.73) for 2004. However, 43 cases (21%) did not report race data.

The incidence rates were highest among the following counties reporting five or more cases: Posey (22.2), Vanderburgh (17.9), and Warrick (12.6). Figure 4 shows counties reporting five or more cases.

You can learn more about aseptic meningitis by visiting the following Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/viral_meningitis.htm

 

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