Meningitis occurs through out the year but shows seasonal trends it increases in winter months and peaks towards the end of winter. Western cape has higher number of cases annually in comparison to all other provinces, but has not reported an upward trend from last year. The expected number of cases per year is 190 to 220.

The role of the National Department of Health is to perform a supportive and monitoring function. The communicable disease control co-ordinator is responsible for keeping track of the cases, and ensuring that appropriate interventions are in place and to offer support to the provinces in case of need.

The health information evaluation and research team receives surveillance data and analyses it. They also pass on the same to higher and lower line functions for use in planning and policy making.

Alerts are sent to all provincial coordinators before the expected outbreak.

Support with educational material like flyers and the report on research conducted by the National laboratory services is provided.

Visits are conducted and advice on appropriate management and prophylaxis is given based on research.

The Health promotion unit provides information for people awareness through radio messages.

The provincial communicable disease control unit has an outbreak response team, comprising of the outbreak response coordinator, the environmental health officer and a health educator. Most districts also have similar teams to trigger a response.

The team conducts the necessary interventions of advising on prophylaxis, tracing contacts and health education advice.

The contacts are closely watched for signs of meningitis.

Routinely passive surveillance is done but during the season or when the first case is reported, active surveillance is embarked on, so as not to miss cases.

The district outbreak response teams are required to perform active and passive surveillance.

Respond effectively as soon as a case is reported. Inform the Provincial coordinator and information officer in the district.

Trace contacts and ensure prophylactic treatment of the contacts and hospital treatment of the patient. Continue monitoring the contacts and keep the next up line duly informed.