Aseptic meningitis refers to inflammation of the meninges caused primarily by viral pathogens, as opposed to bacterial infection. It represents a clinical syndrome rather than a single disease entity, with multiple viruses capable of causing this condition [1].
Disease overview
Evidence-backed information EN 6/7 applicable sections · ZH 6/7 applicable sections Updated Oct 23, 2026
Aseptic meningitis, predominantly viral meningitis, represents the most common infectious cause of meningitis worldwide. Molecular diagnostic techniques and serologies have substantially increased the recognition of viral meningitis and encephalitis, though recent progress in novel antiviral therapies remains limited [1]. Emerging and re-emerging viruses causing endemic or epidemic aseptic meningitis include arboviruses (e.g., West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis, Tick-borne encephalitis, Dengue, Zika), enteroviruses (e.g., Enterovirus 71, Enterovirus D68), Parechoviruses, respiratory viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, influenza), and herpesviruses (e.g., HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV) [1].
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Clinical presentation includes headache, fever, neck stiffness, and photophobia, with symptoms generally less severe than bacterial meningitis. Molecular diagnostic techniques and serological testing are essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate clinical management [1].
Viruses are the most common infectious etiologies of meningitis and encephalitis globally [1]. Arboviruses, enteroviruses, parechoviruses, respiratory viruses, and herpesviruses are documented causes of both endemic and epidemic viral meningitis worldwide [1].
Transmission varies by causative virus; many viral causes of aseptic meningitis spread from person to person through respiratory secretions, fecal-oral routes, or arthropod vectors depending on the specific pathogen [1][2].
Prevention efforts should prioritize increasing vaccine availability for preventable causes such as Japanese encephalitis, Tick-borne encephalitis, varicella zoster viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza [1]. For viral meningitis specifically, avoiding unnecessary antibiotics and implementing appropriate infection control measures when caring for infected individuals are important prevention strategies [1][2].
GlobalID source-data note: Ireland's source category is specifically viral meningitis, while this knowledge concept covers aseptic meningitis more broadly. The Irish values therefore describe the viral subset and must not be interpreted as all aseptic meningitis etiologies.
- 1 Gundamraj V et al. Viral meningitis and encephalitis: an update. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2023 Jun 1. PMID: 37093042. doi: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000922. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37093042/
- 2 World Health Organization. Meningitis [Internet]. cited 3 Sept 2026. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/meningitis
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Recent related research
Clinical and Laboratory Profiles, Time to Presentation, and Antibacterial Therapy in Children with Aseptic Meningitis: A Comparison of Confirmed Enteroviral and Unidentified-Etiology Cases
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Frontiers in Immunology
Imported aseptic meningitis due to Toscana virus infection in Austria since 2006, including a case series from 2023
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West Nile Virus and Other Domestic Nationally Notifiable Arboviral Diseases — United States, 2019
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
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Literature links are provided for discovery and do not alter or validate the surveillance series above.
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