OBJECTIVES: To describe the cost of outbreak of meningococcal disease in Cartagena - Colombia.  METHODS: The cost of meningococcal disease outbreak from February 21st thru March 21st2012, were described. The suspected cases were detected in the Children´s Hospital Napoleon Franco Pareja, House of the Child (HC) and they were reported to the Departamento Administrativo Distrital de Salud (DADIS, for acronym in Spanish). We ran an active surveillance program in the neighborhood cases. The investigation costs of the outbreak control, surveillance and health care cost were estimated. RESULTS:  During meningococcal disease outbreak and following 1 month of active surveillance, a total of 6 cases were detected; from which one suspected case, one probable case and four were confirmed cases. The average patient age was 4.6 years. 50% of the cases died, 33% of the cases had meningitis, meningococcemia and myocarditis. 66% of the cases had culture specimen positive with Neisseria meningitidis. 5/6 cases (83%) had RT-PCR positive with Neisseria meningitidis. All N. meningitidiswere serogroup B. 50 doses of ceftriaxone were administered as prophylaxis. DADIS did not recommend meningococcal vaccination and the proper vaccine was not available at the time. The costs of meningococcal outbreak were estimated as follows: Cost of control of the outbreak (US $ 735), disease surveillance phase (US $ 3,935) and health care cost was US $ 4.670. CONCLUSIONS: All cases were caused by N. meningitidis serogroup B. The absence of vaccination involves lower costs in control of the outbreak.