OTTAWA – Cases of invasive meningococcal disease are at their highest level in more than a decade across Canada, according to a CBC News broadcast Thursday evening.

Data compiled by CBC News shows at least 155 countrywide infections were reported in 2025, a significant increase from a record low during the pandemic. The majority of cases have been identified in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.

In Manitoba, an ongoing outbreak is being driven by an unexpected strain, identified as sero-2 type W, prompting a change in the province’s routine vaccination program. However, countrywide vaccine uptake has reportedly decreased in recent years.

The bacterial infection can lead to serious conditions such as meningitis, sepsis, and organ failure. While the illness remains rare, the death rate for invasive meningococcal disease can be as high as 14%, with infants and young adults being particularly vulnerable.

Health officials recommend vaccination as a preventative measure, noting that different provinces may have varying vaccination approaches. Leah Hilmerson, an 11-year-old girl, was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis after initially being diagnosed with an ear infection, spending over a week in hospital.

According to CBC News, if someone is advised to receive the meningococcal vaccine, they should do so.