NEW GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION OF MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASEIN AUSTRALIA

The incidence of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia has incre ased over the past decade, and in April 1997 the National Health and M edical Research Council published guidelines for management of patient s with meningococcal disease and their contacts. These guidelines emph asise the need for immediate intravenous antibiotic treatment of patie nts with suspected meningococcal disease, before transfer to hospital or lumbar puncture. When possible, blood for culture should be collect ed before antibiotic therapy, if this does not delay treatment.