EGYPT - Meningitis outbreak in Alexandria

[Theresa42]

Google-translated from Arabic:

The emergence of cases of meningitis infection in Alexandria
Dec 6, 2006

Alexandria Mr. Said: Health authorities declared a state of emergency in Alexandria after the emergence of cases of the illness meningitis conservatism. Al-Wafd that was seized two intensive care hospital Viral Alexandria for the first student in a high school park and two four-year-old girl. Medical examinations confirmed Aijabithma of the disease were treated in hospital, medical sources said the delegation that vaccination against meningococcal disease are not nurseries for the children of the civil affiliated charities and private nursery schools, and are currently undergoing large-scale vaccination schools east of Alexandria, following the emergence of cases of infection secondary to the student and the girl child.

http://www.alwafd.org/v2/News/NewsD...st&PHPSESSID=9c35ac143bd7e58d7dfb92de0c5f7cb1

 

[Thornton]

Re: EGYPT - Meningitis outbreak in Alexandria

CDC web site on Meningococcal Disease
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Before the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, but new vaccines being given to all children as part of their routine immunizations have reduced the occurrence of invasive disease due to H. influenzae. Today, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis....
Although large epidemics of meningococcal meningitis do not occur in the United States, some countries experience large, periodic epidemics. Overseas travelers should check to see if meningococcal vaccine is recommended for their destination. Travelers should receive the vaccine at least 1 week before departure, if possible. Information on areas for which meningococcal vaccine is recommended can be obtained by calling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at (404)-332-4565.

-jt-