Acute meningococcaemia

**Definition:** A condition caused by an infection with the gram-negative bacteria Neisseria meningitidis that leads to a severe systemic inflammatory response. This condition is characterised by fever, chills, myalgia, nausea, or petechial rash, with progression to shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Transmission is by direct contact or droplet transmission. Confirmation is by identification of Neisseria meningitidis in blood samples.