More than 300 cases with 12 deaths have been registered in the capital São Paulo this year alone
A 5-year-old boy died meningococcal meningitis at the Carmen Prudente municipal hospital, in the east of São Paulo, last Thursday, the 22. symptoms of the disease.
“The medical teams of UPA and HM Cidade Tiradentes followed all recommended protocols, using personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the service. So far there are no other related cases,” the secretariat said in a statement. .
According to the secretariat, the hospital’s emergency beds are separated by curtains and the other patients have not been exposed to the risk of contamination.
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammatory process of the meninges – membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord – which can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Bacterial meningitis has a greater lethality and greater chance of complications, but for this type of disease there is a vaccine available in the timetable provided by the Ministry of Health.
In São Paulo, the vaccine is available at Basic Health Units (UBS) and Integrated Ambulatory Medical Care (AMA)/UBS Monday to Friday, 7:00 to 19:00, and Saturdays at AMA/ Integrated UBS, also from 7am to 7pm.
Meningococcal meningitis immunizer C should be applied to children aged 3, 5 to 12 months. The ACWY meningitis test is currently applied in the age group of 11 to 14 years. From May 25, teachers and children aged 15 to 19 can receive the meningococcus C vaccine.
The mode of transmission of the disease is through direct contact between people, through the respiratory secretions of infected people. From January to May of this year, 312 cases of bacterial meningitis were recorded in the city of São Paulo, among all age groups, resulting in 12 deaths. In 2022, 174 cases were recorded, with 19 deaths. /BRAZIL AGENCY
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
