Bayanin meningitis na tarin fuka, wanda ake kira "dropsy a cikin kwakwalwa", ana danganta shi ne ga likitan Edinburgh Sir Robert Whytt a cikin wani rahoto na bayan mutuwarsa wanda ya bayyana a 1768, kodayake ba a yi alaƙar cutar tarin fuka da kwayar cutar ba har zuwa ƙarni na gaba. Da alama cewa cutar meningitis na annoba sabon abu ne na kwanan nan. An fara rikodin babban barkewar cutar a Geneva a 1805. An bayyana wasu cututtukan annoba a Turai da Amurka jim kaɗan bayan haka, kuma rahoto na farko na annoba a Afirka a 1840. Rahotannin annobar Afirka sun fi yawa a cikin karni na 20, farawa da annobar annobar cutar meningitis mai yawa a cikin shekara ta 1908.
Kwayar cutar Haemophilus