Exposure to patients with meningococcal disease on aircrafts--United States, 1999-2001.

Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis in children and young adults in the United States and is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions. Persons in close contact with patients who have meningococcal disease are at increased risk for contracting the disease. Commercial aircraft are suitable environments for the spread of airborne pathogens, including N. meningitidis. A case of air-travel-associated meningococcal disease is defined as a patient who meets the case definition of meningococcal disease within 14 days of travel on a flight of at least 8 hours duration. Because of concerns about disease transmission aboard aircraft, CDC has developed recommendations to ensure a standard approach to management of airline contacts. This report presents a case of air-travel-associated meningococcal disease and presents guidelines for the management of persons potentially exposed to meningococcus during airtravel.