The USP professor stresses the importance of increasing vaccination coverage for meningitis and other diseases, such as polio; the capital of San Paolo records 10 deaths from illness
St. Paul two more cases of meningococcal meningitis were recorded at the beginning of the week; one of them resulted in death – of a 22-year-old man. Although the capital of Sao Paulo is experiencing an outbreak located in the regions of Vila Formosa And aricanduvaeast side of the city, these new records are isolated, according to the Municipal Health Department (SMS), as three or more occurrences of the same type have not occurred in a 90-day period in the same location.
For infectious disease specialist Marcos Boulos, a senior professor at the USP School of Medicine (FMUSP), the trend is that these cases are limited to the places where they occurred. The total number of cases of the disease in the city has now reached 58 since January, with a reduction of 63.2% compared to the same period in 2021, when 158 were infected. As for the number of deaths, in 2022 there are ten, compared to 28 in the last year.
In an interview with Radio Eldorado, Marcos Boulos explained that the spread is partly due to the abandonment of the use of the mask, as meningitis is transmitted through the air like respiratory infections. “It is still a number that does not cause great concern and the measures must be implemented in the locality where they are taking place, that is where the most important and most intense measures must be taken”, he sums up. With the reduction of the cold period, which this year has been prolonged, the expectation is that the transmission of diseases by air will decrease.
Current childhood vaccination coverage against the disease of 75% is also helping to curb its spread. Ideally, however, this rate would reach 90%, as meningitis spreads in closed communities – for example, schools – and is passed on among children who have not been immunized. “This is how all the major outbreaks of meningococcal infection occurred,” explains Boulos.
Widening vaccination coverage is indicated by the specialist as the way to protect children and rule out the possibility of a greater spread not only of agents that cause meningitis, but also of other serious conditions. “People forget the disease, we were practically free polio. But it exists in other places, where there are epidemics and in the globalized world people travel from place to place and you can have people hosting the virus, “she says.
Immunization
Meningococcal disease or meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and which can be caused by infections from various microorganisms, such as fungi, viruses and bacteria. To date, the Ministry of Health reports that in 2022 there were 5,821 cases and 702 deaths from meningitis of various aetiology.
The disease can leave serious sequelae, mainly bacterial, which have a lethality of about 20% in the country. In Brazil the most common is type C (which affects 80% of cases). Types A, W and Y are less common. To prevent them, it is possible to take the immunizing agent in all UBS in the municipality.
The meningococcal meningitis vaccine C should be given to infants aged 3, 5, and 12 months, and the ACWY meningococcal meningitis vaccine is currently provided to the 11-14 year age group. The campaign has also been extended to adolescents aged 13 and 14, until June 2023, as defined by the National Immunization Program (PNI).
Only in exceptional situations, such as the localized epidemic that occurs in the districts of Vila Formosa and Aricanduva, immunizing agents are indicated for adults. Citizens can check their vaccination status at the health unit and locate the closest one through the Busca Saúde platform.
+The best content in your email for free. Choose your favorite Earth Newsletter. Click here!
Source: Terra
Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.
-qdsqacs9y82p.png "Henrique, from the duo with Juliano, puts his son to ride from Carneiro: “Here is the root”")
