Meningitis leaves sequelae, is highly contagious, vaccine helps prevent – ​​eju.tv

Source: eldeber.com.bo

meningitis outbreak, In addition to two confirmed cases, Health alerts have been raised due to the high contagion and fatality rate of the disease.

The first case involved a 46-year-old woman inside the prison in Palma Sola; the second was a five-month-old baby living in the south of the city. Both patients are in critical condition and are being intubated. Due to the severity of the disease, the fatality rate is 15%.

Health authorities are investigating the source of the infection, but a different pathogen is known to be the cause of the outbreak.

The woman was infected with Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) and the baby was infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), which along with Haemophilus influenzae type b, Causes most of the disease burden associated with meningitis Acute bacterial infection with high morbidity and mortality.

These bacteria are responsible for more than half of meningitis deaths worldwide and can lead to other problems such as sepsis and pneumonia.

Meningitis affects the central nervous system and is highly contagious. It causes inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. Inflammation of the meninges from infectious causes, especially bacterial and viral infections, are the most common

Most important not only because of the sheer number of cases that occur each year, but also because of their potential to lead to outbreaks.

“By and large, it’s going to attack anyone who might have these germs somewhere. These are public health events of international importance. We’ve been coordinating the notification with the Ministry of Health because we have to get the outbreak under control quickly to keep the virus under control. Avoid more cases,” said Carlos Hurtado, epidemiology manager at the Health Sector (Sedes).

After the outbreak, Health authorities insist on emphasizing the importance of vaccinations, That’s because the bacteria that makes five-month-old babies sick can be prevented with anti-inflammatory doses as part of a routine vaccination program. For the bacteria affecting the woman, there is no vaccine in the vaccination program (against meningococcus), but a vaccine can be found in the private sector.

Hurtado noted that containment actions include vaccination, preventive treatment of contacts and disinfection of places where outbreaks occur, especially in prisons where the risk of transmission is higher due to isolation.

“It is a disease of great concern due to its high contagiousness, Because it can cause massive outbreaks in confined spaces, That’s why we took immediate sweeping action, mainly quarantining children and administering antibiotic prophylaxis to 700 people to prevent additional chaos. ’ Hurtado emphasized.

Several countries in the region, such as Argentina, have seen an increase in cases of meningitis caused by three main bacteria since 2022, according to the World Health Organization.

They attribute this to a decline in vaccination coverage in recent years, leading to clusters of susceptible populations that favor the emergence of outbreaks.

In fact, Sedes believes that was the case for the baby with meningitis, who also tested positive for coqueluche. Minors do not have a complete regimen at any dose to prevent these diseases.

The cause of concern is that the sector does not even have 50% coverage of the anti-myxococcal vaccine, like the pentavalent vaccine (which protects against Coqueluche and other diseases).

For pneumococcal vaccines, Children should receive the first dose at two months; the second at four months; and the third at six months. Not only does this provide direct protection to children, but it is also essential to provide indirect protection to other age groups.

Neck stiffness, fever, confusion or altered mental status, headache, nausea, and vomiting are some of the symptoms of meningitis. It can also cause seizures and neurological deficits, Examples include hearing or vision loss, cognitive impairment or weakness, and photophobia (increased sensitivity of the eyes to light).

Babies with meningitis develop a fever and convulsions. Same as the 46-year-old woman, with fever, severe headache, and some neurologic findings.

The World Health Organization states that One in five bacterial meningitis survivors may have long-term sequelae, Examples include: hearing loss, seizures, limb weakness, vision, speech, language, memory, and communication problems, and amputations following sepsis.

The World Health Organization warns that it can cause severe long-term sequelae, with a high mortality rate. This suggests that many microorganisms can cause meningitis, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. It can affect people of any age.

Bacterial meningitis is of particular concern. About 1 in 10 people with this type of meningitis will die One in five develop serious complications.Vaccines are the most effective way to provide long-lasting protection

Meningitis affects all ages, with young children at the highest risk. Neonates are infected with group B Streptococcus, and young children are infected with meningococcus, pneumococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae. Adolescents and young adults are more prone to meningococcal infections, while older adults are more prone to pneumococcal infections.

Routes of transmission vary among organisms. Most bacteria that cause meningitis, such as meningococcus, pneumococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae, carried by the human nose and throat.

They spread from person to person through respiratory droplets or throat secretions. Group B Streptococcus is usually found in the gut or vagina of humans and is passed from mother to child during childbirth. One of these preventive measures is biosecurity measures, which is why they are also being implemented in the prison where the outbreak occurred in the capital, Santa Cruz.