[Epidemiology of meningococcal meningitis in Austria].

In Austria the report of epidemic meningitis is obligatory. Similar to other countries most of the observed strains of meningococci belong to the serogroups A, B and C. The morbidity is decreasing at present, the last peak occurred in the years 1966 to 1971. While several epidemics occurred in other parts of the world during the last years, only 1.2 cases in 100,000 persons were registered in Austria at that time, indicating an epidemiologic wave trough. During the observation period of 20 years the case fatality rate remained relatively constant at 8.6%. In comparison with other infectious diseases the percentage of deaths due to meningococcal infections has increased considerably during the last years. At present about half the deaths in children by infectious diseases are due to meningococci. Mortality and case fatality are very high in childhood and in persons over 50 years. Inversely the mean bactericidal antibody titer against group A and C meningococci is low in these age groups. Indications for meningococcal vaccination in the present situation are discussed.