Health
[a] What caused the recent outbreak of meningitis at Mossel Bay, [b] what was the extent of [i] the disease, [ii] the mortality figure, [iii] the measures taken to control it and [c] what preventative measures have been taken to prevent similar outbreaks in future?
[a] Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that is found in the spinal cord that surrounds the brain that can be caused by a virus or bacterium. The outbreak in Mossel Bay was caused by an enterovirus that is the most common form of viral meningitis. It is a mild illness and the majority of ill people will recover within a week (7 -1 0 days). In South Africa seasonal peaks and incidents of enteroviral meningitis occur especially in warmer months.
[b](i) The recent enteroviral meningitis outbreak concluded on 16 February 2016, with 41 cases of laboratory confirmed enteroviral meningitis cases reported in the Mossel Bay area, from 1 December 2015 to 03 February 2016. Cases were mainly identified and treated at a private health facility in Mossel Bay.
- Median age of cases was 3 years (range 1 – 37 years). Forty of the 41 cases in children <12 years; one adult case (37-year-old father of a known lab-confirmed EV meningitis case).
• Four of the 10 cases identified in December 2015 were Johannesburg residents on holiday in the area.
• Three crèches/day-care centres were implicated in possible epidemiological links.
(ii) Nil (0) deaths were reported.
(iii) Response activities and preventative were underway since the start of the outbreak that included the following:
- Activation of the local outbreak response team to coordinate activities e.g. surveillance (diagnosis, treatment), communication (public, healthcare workers, media). The provincial Department of Health, Eden District Health Office and other role-players assisted with the management and control of the outbreak
- Active surveillance and treatment of suspected cases at all health facilities in the in the sub-district
- Fact sheets to the public and healthcare workers have been circulated and awareness activities were conducted in the communities, crèches and schools.
[c] Prevention of infection includes:
- Promotion and education on hand hygiene (regular hand-washing with soap and water) and good personal hygiene helps to prevent infection with many viruses including entero-viruses.
- Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet, before preparing food, and after sneezing and coughing.
Adults should teach and encourage children to wash their hands properly, and emphasise regular handwashing when children are at school and in contact with others.
