Investigation of the first case of meningococcal meningitis W135 in Tongling, Anhui

On 25 February,2012, one suspected case of meningococcal meningitis was reported in Tongling hospital. The previous medical history of the case showed no direct contact with meningococcal meningitis patient, but the clinical symptoms were typical for the disease, including hyperpyrexia, nausea and vomiting, general petechiae, ecchymosis and nuchal rigidity. Laboratory tests with blood specimen and oropharyngeal swabs confirmed the infection of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135. This was the first laboratory confirmed W135 case in Tongling, the data from this case could be used in Neisseria meningitidis serogroup surveillance and the revision of meningococcal meningitis immunization strategy.