http://eafr.promedmail.org/
Published Date
2010-05-30 12:44:39
Subject
PRO/EAFR> Meningitis, meningococcal - South Africa: (Gauteng), susp.
Archive Number
20100530.207705
Full Text
MENINGITIS, MENINGOCOCCAL - SOUTH AFRICA: (GAUTENG), SUSPECTED
**************************************************************
Date: Fri 28 May 2010
Source: News24.com [edited]
http://www.news24.com/printArticle.aspx?iframe&aid=c63ee497-702a-4fd8-80a5-d42eb0af6354&cid=1059
A 1st-year student at the University of the North West's
Potchefstroom campus has died suddenly, presumably from meningitis.
The student from Hennenman in the Free State, arrived in
Potchefstroom from her parents' home on Wednesday [26 May 2010]
morning to write an exam. "She started feeling ill at 10:00, was then
admitted to hospital and by 15:00 she had died," said university
spokesperson Kiewiet Scheppel.
It could not yet be confirmed if her death had been caused by the
dangerous and contagious meningococcal meningitis.
"Her symptoms seem to indicate this was the cause. Her mother was
also admitted to hospital. It would appear that she contracted the
[infection] in her home town."
Campus rector, Professor Herman van Schalkwyk, reassured students,
parents and the Potchefstroom community that the university had taken
immediate steps to stop the spread of the disease. "There is no need
for panic. As a preventative measure all residents of the Kasteel
women's hostel (where Westcott was a resident) received preventative
medication on Wednesday night [26 May 2010]. "They were also told how
to act preventatively."
Symptoms of meningitis include a bad headache, nausea and vomiting,
high fewer, eyes that are extremely light sensitive and a sore and stiff neck.
[Byline: Daniella du Plooy, Beeld]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
[Meningococcal meningitis is caused by _Neisseria meningitidis_, a
bacteria with 12 serogroups; though only 5 serogroups (A, B, C, W135,
and X) cause epidemics. In South Africa, an analysis of cases
reported to the national laboratory surveillance system (1999 to
2002) revealed that serogroup B caused most of the cases (41 percent)
followed by serogroup A (23 percent) and serogroup Y (21 percent),
serogroup C (8 percent) and serogroup W135 (5 percent). That
notwithstanding, Serogroup A was most prevalent in Gauteng Province
during the study period.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Meningococcal+disease+in+South+Africa,+1999-2002-a015953249.
Serogroup W135 also emerged in 2004 in Gauteng province
http://www.nicd.ac.za/pubs/survbull/2006/CommDisBullMarch06.pdf.
The disease is transmitted from person to person through droplets of
respiratory or throat secretions and living in close quarters (such
as a dormitory, sharing eating or drinking utensils) with an infected
person facilitates the spread of the disease. Meningococcal disease
is endemic in South Africa with seasonal increases during the winter
and spring months (May to November)
http://www.nicd.ac.za/pubs/survbull/2006/CommDisBullMarch06.pdf.
The common symptoms are a stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity to
light, confusion, headaches and vomiting. Even when the disease is
diagnosed early and adequate treatment is started, (5 - 10 percent)
of patients die, typically within 24 - 48 hours after the onset of
symptoms. Penicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol or ceftriaxone may
be used for treatment of cases. However in resource constrained
settings, a single dose of oily chloramphenicol or ceftriaxone has
been shown to be effective.
Prevention is through vaccination with either the polysaccharide or
conjugate vaccines for groups (A, C, Y, and W135)
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs141/en/. Antibiotic
chemoprophylaxis among close contacts of a patient with invasive
meningococcal disease is recommended for prevention of secondary
cases in most industrialized countries. Antibiotic regimens for
prophylaxis include rifampin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone.
Ceftriaxone is recommended for pregnant women
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-2/meningococcal-disease.aspx.
A map of South Africa showing the provinces can be seen at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_South_Africa, and the
HealthMap/ProMED interactive map of the country is available at
http://healthmap.org/r/01aP. - Mod.JFW]
Published Date
2010-05-30 12:44:39
Subject
PRO/EAFR> Meningitis, meningococcal - South Africa: (Gauteng), susp.
Archive Number
20100530.207705
Full Text
MENINGITIS, MENINGOCOCCAL - SOUTH AFRICA: (GAUTENG), SUSPECTED
**************************************************************
Date: Fri 28 May 2010
Source: News24.com [edited]
http://www.news24.com/printArticle.aspx?iframe&aid=c63ee497-702a-4fd8-80a5-d42eb0af6354&cid=1059
A 1st-year student at the University of the North West's
Potchefstroom campus has died suddenly, presumably from meningitis.
The student from Hennenman in the Free State, arrived in
Potchefstroom from her parents' home on Wednesday [26 May 2010]
morning to write an exam. "She started feeling ill at 10:00, was then
admitted to hospital and by 15:00 she had died," said university
spokesperson Kiewiet Scheppel.
It could not yet be confirmed if her death had been caused by the
dangerous and contagious meningococcal meningitis.
"Her symptoms seem to indicate this was the cause. Her mother was
also admitted to hospital. It would appear that she contracted the
[infection] in her home town."
Campus rector, Professor Herman van Schalkwyk, reassured students,
parents and the Potchefstroom community that the university had taken
immediate steps to stop the spread of the disease. "There is no need
for panic. As a preventative measure all residents of the Kasteel
women's hostel (where Westcott was a resident) received preventative
medication on Wednesday night [26 May 2010]. "They were also told how
to act preventatively."
Symptoms of meningitis include a bad headache, nausea and vomiting,
high fewer, eyes that are extremely light sensitive and a sore and stiff neck.
[Byline: Daniella du Plooy, Beeld]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
[Meningococcal meningitis is caused by _Neisseria meningitidis_, a
bacteria with 12 serogroups; though only 5 serogroups (A, B, C, W135,
and X) cause epidemics. In South Africa, an analysis of cases
reported to the national laboratory surveillance system (1999 to
2002) revealed that serogroup B caused most of the cases (41 percent)
followed by serogroup A (23 percent) and serogroup Y (21 percent),
serogroup C (8 percent) and serogroup W135 (5 percent). That
notwithstanding, Serogroup A was most prevalent in Gauteng Province
during the study period.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Meningococcal+disease+in+South+Africa,+1999-2002-a015953249.
Serogroup W135 also emerged in 2004 in Gauteng province
http://www.nicd.ac.za/pubs/survbull/2006/CommDisBullMarch06.pdf.
The disease is transmitted from person to person through droplets of
respiratory or throat secretions and living in close quarters (such
as a dormitory, sharing eating or drinking utensils) with an infected
person facilitates the spread of the disease. Meningococcal disease
is endemic in South Africa with seasonal increases during the winter
and spring months (May to November)
http://www.nicd.ac.za/pubs/survbull/2006/CommDisBullMarch06.pdf.
The common symptoms are a stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity to
light, confusion, headaches and vomiting. Even when the disease is
diagnosed early and adequate treatment is started, (5 - 10 percent)
of patients die, typically within 24 - 48 hours after the onset of
symptoms. Penicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol or ceftriaxone may
be used for treatment of cases. However in resource constrained
settings, a single dose of oily chloramphenicol or ceftriaxone has
been shown to be effective.
Prevention is through vaccination with either the polysaccharide or
conjugate vaccines for groups (A, C, Y, and W135)
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs141/en/. Antibiotic
chemoprophylaxis among close contacts of a patient with invasive
meningococcal disease is recommended for prevention of secondary
cases in most industrialized countries. Antibiotic regimens for
prophylaxis include rifampin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone.
Ceftriaxone is recommended for pregnant women
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-2/meningococcal-disease.aspx.
A map of South Africa showing the provinces can be seen at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_South_Africa, and the
HealthMap/ProMED interactive map of the country is available at
http://healthmap.org/r/01aP. - Mod.JFW]