No meningococcemia outbreak, say officials in The Philippines
They say the cases at San Lazaro Hospital, Manila, and Baquio are random and do not pose a threat to the general public.
Officials said meningococcemia is a treatable infection and not unusual. They said the medication required for treating meningococcemia are straightforward and readily available throughout the country.
The Tourist Office at Baquio, northern Philippines, expressed concern at the detrimental effect the latest meningococcemia case has had on tourism.
Mayor Braulio Yaranon, said "It is inevitable that tourism is affected, especially with these kinds of reports (but I can assure that) there is no outbreak." Since news of infections have hit the news headlines (Friday) the number of visitors to the city has dropped.
What is meningococcal meningitis?
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitides, also known as meningococcus.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy. The infection can lead to permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss and brain damage. Despite antibiotic treatment, 10% of people with meningococcal meningitis die each year from the disease.
What is MENINGOCOCCEMIA?
Sometimes the meningococcal bacteria can infect the bloodstream. This infection is termed meningococcemia. It can lead to kidney and heart failure, and like meningococcal meningitis, can result in severe disability and death (20% of patients with meningococcemia die from the infection).
How is the disease spread?
The infection is spread by direct contact with infected individuals (for example, sharing a glass or cigarette, or kissing) or through the air via droplets of respiratory secretions (for example, coughing or sneezing).
How common is meningococcal disease?
Neisseri'a meningitides is the second most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States, responsible for 3,000-4,000 cases each year. While meningococcal disease overall remains relatively rare, the number of outbreaks has been on the rise in recent years. Whereas there were only 13 outbreaks during the 12-year period from 1980 to 1991, at least 33 outbreaks hit in just the 5 years between 1992 and 1996, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Who is at risk for meningococcal meningitis? in the past, the attack rate of endemic meningococcal disease was highest among children 6 to 36 months of age. Lately, however, the risk appears to be shifting toward older children and adolescents, with a rising number of outbreaks in schools, universities, and other organization-based settings, according to the American College Health Association (ACHA). In fact, over half of the outbreaks from 1992 to 1996 occurred in schools, colleges, universities, and similar settings. Also at increased risk for meningococcal disease are travelers to certain hyperendemic or epidemic countries (such as part of Sub-Saharan Africa), people with certain immune deficiencies, and household or institutional contacts of infected individuals.
Nu meningococcemia focar, declarã oficiali în Filipine - No meningococcemia outbreak, say officials in The Philippines - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate