An outbreak of meningococcal meningitis infects at least 30 people in Ho Chi Minh City as of Tuesday according to the Center of Preventive Health.
According a report in Thanh Nien News, Tran Phu Manh Sieu, director of the HCMC Center for Preventive Health, is quoted as saying that the cases were detected among workers of the Japanese-owned Furukawa Automotive Parts Vietnam’s factory in Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, District 7.
In response to this, the Health Center has prescribed prophylactic antibiotics to all of the 6,200 employees of the plant.
They also report local agencies started inspections Tuesday at other factories in Tan Thuan and launch campaigns to raise local workers’ awareness about the disease.
This all comes at a time when the Vietnamese Ministry of Health has issued a meningitis warning for the upcoming TET holiday festivities starting January 22.
With the cold weather and increased travel during the Lunar New Year, health officials say this could be “danger time” for spread of the contagion.
Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis, which causes the most severe form of bacterial meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can also be found in the bloodstream. This particular type of meningitis is very severe and can result in death if not treated promptly. Even in cases where treatment has been given, the fatality rate is around 15%.
The symptoms of bacterial meningitis are sudden, with fever, stiff neck, body aches and headaches. As the disease progresses other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, photophobia and seizures. A petechial rash seen on the trunk and lower extremities, bleeding complications, multi-organ failures and shock are usually final signs. This disease has the ability to kill within hours of getting it.
Up to 10-20% of older children and young adults carry this organism in the mouth and nose, though the carriage rate will vary with age and closeness of population. The majority of people that carry this bacterium have no clinical disease. The organism is spread person to person through respiratory secretions from the nose and mouth (coughing, sneezing and kissing). Experts are unsure why some people advance to meningitis disease while many do not.
Crowded living conditions facilitate the spread of the organisms and places like military barracks and college dormitories are well documented areas of concern with this disease.
Prevention of meningococcal meningitis can be achieved through vaccination.
Meningococcal meningitis is a devastating disease with epidemic potential. This disease is considered a medical emergency and if you have the classic symptoms see your health care professional. It can be treated with antibiotics, but without delay.
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