Health
Whether there were any confirmed cases of meningitis in schools in the province between June 2018 and June 2019; if so, (a) how many cases were reported, (b) in which schools were these cases reported and (c) what measures were put in place to halt the spread of meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that is found in the spinal cord and that surrounds the brain. It is usually caused by an infection with a virus, or a bacterium, and fungus (micro-organism). Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or a bacterium is important. The seriousness of the illness and treatment needed is different.
- The Department of Health monitors bacterial meningitis via the public health laboratory surveillance system, via hospital and laboratory networks – and not from schools. Between June 2018 and June 2019, 27 suspected cases were entered in the 5-24 year age band on the national monitoring system of which 15 were laboratory confirmed.
- The Department of Health monitors bacterial meningitis via the public health laboratory surveillance system, via hospital and laboratory networks – and not from schools.
- As precautionary measure the Provincial Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases issued a notice/communique to physicians/clinicians, health practitioners and laboratories in March 2019 in order to detect and report suspected cases and submit specimens to the National Health Laboratory Services for analysis.
Community hand washing and general hygiene health promotion programmes were intensified, which includes ongoing activities in schools.
Routinely, healthcare workers/practitioners are expected to identify suspected meningococcal meningitis and haemophilus influenzae type B cases, to ensure that such cases are treated and the close respiratory contacts are followed up and provided with chemoprophylaxis (medication). Any suspected outbreak is only considered if cases fulfil a certain criteria and the appropriate measures will be undertaken if deemed necessary. Guidelines and standard operation procedures are in place for healthcare workers. The National Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) Schedule has included pneumococcal vaccine into the routine immunization schedule, which provides that prevents meningitis caused by this specific organism (that is haemophilus influenzae type B).
