How to Combat the Spread of Viral
or Bacterial Meningitis? 

Hand Washing, Surface Cleaning and Disinfecting

 By Roger McFadden

Vice President Technical Services

Summary of what you will learn in this article:

 

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Viruses, fungi, protozoa, or bacteria may cause meningitis. Different forms of the disease have different mortality rates. In all forms, the meninges become inflamed, causing pressure on the spinal cord and brain. Patients experience headaches, neck-aches and lower backaches. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability.

What is the infectious agent that causes meningitis?

For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Before the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, but new vaccines being given to all children as part of their routine immunizations have reduced the occurrence of invasive disease due to H. influenzae. Today, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis. The good news is that Neisseria meningitides and other bacterial agents of meningitis are fragile organisms that do not survive easily in the environment.

Is meningitis contagious and who is at risk?

Yes, some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious. Bacterial meningitis is spread through droplets of saliva when people sneeze, cough, kiss or share eating utensils, soda cans, water bottles or drinking glasses. Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. Bacterial meningitis is prevalent where people are in close proximity for long periods of time. Grade school classrooms, military camps, and prisons are examples. People in the same household or day-care center, or anyone with direct contact with a patient's oral secretions (such as a boyfriend or girlfriend) would be considered at increased risk of acquiring the infection.

How do we protect ourselves from the infectious agents of meningitis?

Be sure to get immediate treatment for persons with symptoms of meningitis. This disease is serious and prompt treatment for infected persons increases their chance for a safe recovery and helps prevent others from being exposed to the germs.

Avoid direct contact with people infected with the agents of meningitis. The primary mode of transmission is droplets of moisture discharged or transmitted from the mouth and nose of infected persons. Sharing of water bottles or other personal items should also be avoided.

Building occupants or visitors are encouraged to practice routine hygiene practices, including hand washing and covering the mouth while coughing. Public health officials say the primary way to combat the spread of viral or bacterial meningitis is through frequent and proper hand washing.

Common and key areas of the facilities should be thoroughly cleaned with effective cleaners to remove the gross soils and contamination. Effective cleaning of environmental surfaces can remove gross contamination from surfaces that can be touched and transmitted by human hands.

Disinfecting may be important to demonstrate that prudent steps are being taken to combat the outbreak. However, the bacteria that cause meningitis live usually on the pharynx of the infected person. The infecting agents when discharged from the infected person only survive for a very short time on environmental surfaces like walls, floors and fixtures.

What disinfecting agents should be used?

Makers of quaternary ammonium chloride compounds, the active ingredients in many disinfectants, typically used in schools and other institutions tell us that the nature of these type of microorganisms makes it likely that EPA registered disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium chloride compounds used at 600 ppm or above will be effective against these bacterial agents on inanimate environmental surfaces. It is important that if disinfectants are used that they are EPA registered disinfectants and not simply sanitizers or virucides. A product that is labeled as a sanitizer or virucide is not necessarily an effective disinfectant.

Summary

Outbreaks of meningitis are uncommon but very serious. When an outbreak occurs it is important to take quick action. Avoiding contact with the infected person and frequent hand washing are two important ways to reduce exposure to the agents of meningitis. It is believed that organisms that cause meningitis do not live long in the environment outside the body and it is highly unlikely that anyone would acquire meningitis by contacting an inanimate environmental surface. However, it is important to demonstrate to building occupants, visitors and the general public that prudent measures are being taken to prevent exposure. This can include special cleaning and disinfecting of key environmental surfaces using an EPA registered disinfectant with a minimum of 600 ppm quaternary ammonium chloride or other appropriate disinfecting agent. Consult with a reputable disinfectant supplier for more information.

This article has been prepared and offered as a fact sheet and is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a physician. If you have questions about meningitis or believe that you might have an infection, consult a physician or health care provider immediately.