The Ministry of Health has recorded 24 meningococcal cases, including 4 deaths, since the beginning of the year, an increase of 14 infections compared to the same period in 2025. Monitoring the symptoms of these cases, Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of the VNVC Vaccination System, noted that many individuals present with mild symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

In its most severe form, meningococcal disease often manifests as meningitis or septicemia, characterized by sudden high fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting, muscle pain, chills, fatigue, and hemorrhage. The disease progresses rapidly and can be fatal within 24 hours if not promptly treated.

Beyond the severe forms, the bacteria can also cause less common conditions such as pneumonia, arthritis, pericarditis, conjunctivitis, otitis media, sinusitis, urethritis, and proctitis. "These forms often develop subtly, localized to one organ, without clear signs of meningitis or hemorrhagic rash, making them easy to overlook or misdiagnose as common respiratory illnesses or infections," Dr. Chinh explained.

A child patient receiving intensive care at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases after contracting meningococcal bacteria from a classmate. Photo: Hospital for Tropical Diseases

A child patient receiving intensive care at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases after contracting meningococcal bacteria from a classmate. Photo: Hospital for Tropical Diseases

In meningococcal pneumonia, patients may experience fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain, similar to pneumonia caused by other pathogens. However, these symptoms are often accompanied by chills or signs of an upper respiratory infection.

Arthritis caused by the disease presents as pain and swelling in large joints such as the knees, ankles, and elbows. This can occur early due to direct bacterial invasion or later as an immune response.

Another easily missed manifestation is persistent infection. This occurs when the bacteria enters the bloodstream but does not multiply rapidly enough to cause fulminant septicemia. The condition typically lasts at least one week, with few or no typical meningeal signs. Patients may experience recurrent fever, chills, fatigue, muscle pain, and arthritis, sometimes accompanied by skin lesions or a non-blanching rash. Symptoms can flare up and subside, interspersed with normal periods, delaying diagnosis.

A case of persistent meningococcal infection causing a papular rash on the hands, feet, and palms, published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Photo: U.S. National Library of Medicine

A case of persistent meningococcal infection causing a papular rash on the hands, feet, and palms, published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Photo: U.S. National Library of Medicine

Meningococcal disease is highly contagious within the community. The bacteria spreads through respiratory droplets or contact with nasopharyngeal secretions, with humans being the only known reservoir. The risk of transmission is high among household members and close contacts; one case can increase the risk of infection for close contacts by 500 to 800 times. Approximately 10-20% of people carry meningococcal bacteria in their nasopharynx without symptoms. This rate increases to 25-32% in adolescents and can reach 50% during outbreaks.

Dr. Chinh advises against complacency when experiencing symptoms such as persistent fever, headache, joint pain, cough, chest pain, fatigue, or skin rash, especially after close contact with a suspected case. Early examination facilitates timely testing and treatment, preventing rapid progression to septicemia or meningitis. Additionally, individuals should maintain personal hygiene, wear masks when experiencing respiratory symptoms, improve ventilation in living spaces, and limit close contact.

Children receiving meningococcal vaccine at VNVC Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, on the morning of 11/4. Photo: Ly Van

Children receiving meningococcal vaccine at VNVC Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, on the morning of 11/4. Photo: Ly Van

Currently, meningococcal vaccines cover common disease-causing serogroups: A, B, C, W, Y. Serogroup B vaccines are administered from two months to 50 years old; serogroups B and C vaccines from six months to 45 years old. There are three types of serogroups A, C, W, Y vaccines, two of which are administered from six weeks of age to adults. For comprehensive protection, individuals should receive a combination of serogroup B and serogroups A, C, W, Y vaccines, ensuring early, on-schedule, and complete doses to allow the body to produce antibodies.

Vaccines licensed for circulation in Vietnam include: the new generation quadrivalent vaccines for serogroups A, C, W, Y (MenQuadfi, Nimenrix, Menactra); the new generation vaccine for serogroup B (Bexsero); and a vaccine for serogroups B and C. Individuals who have previously received serogroups B and C or serogroups A, C vaccines should still consult a doctor about supplementary new generation vaccines to broaden protection against increasingly diverse bacterial strains.