Meningitis Cases in New Jersey – No Meningococcal Disease Outbreak in NJ. The NJDOH is tracking cases of meningococcal disease as of this writing after an outbreak in UK.

However, Meningitis is not exactly a meningococcal disease. They have common denominator, but they are different. Meningococcal Disease is a severe type of bacterial meningitis or sepsis.

Meningitis is inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It is NOT EXACTLY NOR SIMILAR to Meningococcal Disease spreading or has an outbreak in UK!

Between 13 and 17 March 2026, UKHSA identified 20 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in the South East. Six cases have been confirmed as Neisseria meningitidis group B. Most cases are students from the University of Kent, Canterbury, and sixth form students from local secondary schools. At least 10 cases attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6 or 7 March 2026. The illness has been severe with rapid deterioration, and 2 deaths have occurred. – GOV.UK

But why new Jersey is dragged to this outbreak? There are reports that the outbreak is affecting students from the Channel Island of Jersey who are studying at the University of Kent in Canterbury. That’s it. Island of Jersey is not New Jersey!

There are cases but it is not considered as an outbreak!

Meningitis Cases in New Jersey – No Meningococcal Disease Outbreak in NJ

So, is there an outbreak in NJ? There are cases but NO OUTBREAK AT ALL! Never be confused with the Island of Jersey in UK with New Jersey in U.S.!

Meanwhile, 3 cases of meningitis have been reported in NJ. This is a slight decrease compared to the 4 cases reported during the same period in 2025. Other types of meningitis cases, such as viral or fungal for 2026 are not currently available in public state surveillance reports.

On the otherhand, there are also cases of meningococcal disease in New Jersey but again it is not an outbreak!

Cases of meningococcal disease in the US in 2023 has 422 confirmed and probable cases were reported in the US (preliminary data). This is the largest number of US meningococcal disease cases since 2014. Most of the increase in meningococcal disease is driven by N. meningitidis serogroup Y.

In New Jersey in 2023, 17 total confirmed meningococcal disease cases were reported. This was the largest number of NJ meningococcal cases since 2013 where a total of 20 cases were reported (included an outbreak of serogroup B occurring on a college campus). As of August 16, a total of 15 cases has been reported in NJ for 2024 – NJDOH and CDC.

Don’t panic in NJ, NO OUTBREAK as of this writing!

Symptoms of Meningitis and Meningococcal disease

Interestingly, both meningococcal disease and meningitis share common symptoms. But sometimes a symptom is not visible from the other. Try to look at the table below.

Common meningitis symptoms are fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light), altered mental status (confusion)

Symptoms in babies

Newborns and babies may not have, or it may be difficult to notice, the classic symptoms listed above. Instead, babies maybe slow or inactive, be irritable, vomit, feed poorly, have a bulging fontanelle (the “soft spot” on a baby’s head), and have abnormal reflexes

It is complicated and risky to assume if you are infected or not without visiting a doctor or urgent care near you. Ask for consultation and some tests or exam so that you are sure about the symptoms you have.

Some of the test perforemd for this are Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap), Blood Cultures, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), Gram Stain, and other tests as noted by your doctor.

Vaccines for Meningococcal Disease

There are three types of meningitis and meningococcal vaccines for preteens and teens:

The Meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY), Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (MenB), Pentavalent meningococcal vaccine (MenABCWY) are the choices of vaccines, but it will be based on the approval and recommendations of your doctor!

NJDOH requires that children in grade 6 or higher be immunized against the
four serogroups (A, C, W, Y) that are present in the meningococcal
containing vaccines licensed for use in the United States.

TIPS AND WARNINGS:

• Get vaccinated as soon as possible! No ifs no buts!
• Go to any urgent care near you for tests or any diagnostics to confirm if your symptoms are meningococcal or meningitis.
• There is no outbreak of meningococcal disease in New Jersey!
• Call your insurance if you are covered or not before going to any urgent care center.