On Monday, the Ministry of Health has urged the
whole country to help prevent further spread of the meningitis
outbreak that has reportedly caused at least eight deaths in
eastern Anhui
Province and sixteen nationally.
Anhui’s health department said that between
December 20 and January 28, they received reports of 61 cases,
mostly amongst school students aged 13 to 18. Forty-nine have
recovered and seven are still in quarantine.
Total reported cases nationwide numbered 258 in
January, up 94 on the same period last year, with 16 reported
deaths.
The ministry asked the public to do what they can
to help, stressing that type C meningitis is contagious and could
be spread further with increased travel over the
Spring Festival holidays.
In order to prevent a greater epidemic, they asked
all health authorities to step up monitoring and reporting of the
illness, and to make sure they publicize timely and precise reports
on its progress.
They instructed medical institutes to prepare
enough vaccines, with a focus on regions with dense
populations.
The ministry’s statement called on everyone to help
in identifying, reporting, diagnosing and treating new cases as
early as possible. Patients should be isolated and treated quickly
to increase the likelihood of their recovery and reduce the risk of
them transmitting the infection to others.
They also urged the public to pay attention to
their own health and to general hygiene. Health, education and
transport authorities were asked to work together to maintain
cleanliness in public places.
Medical experts suggested that people, especially
students at high and primary schools, do more physical exercise to
increase their immunity. They also said that those suffering from
fever, headache, sore throat or cough should go to hospital for
treatment.
Meningitis is an inflammation of membranes
surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and can have a number of
different causes, including both bacteria and viruses. Symptoms
include fever, vomiting and intense headache, and some forms of
bacterial meningitis are contagious through close contact via
respiratory secretions.
In the past, outbreaks of meningitis were often
type A, but this has effectively been controlled since type A
vaccination began to be routinely provided for children in
1984.
The current type C meningitis can spread more
easily than type A, and is more difficult to control.
(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2005)