Cold, wet weather ideal for meningitis - Social Issues

Updated

October, 26 2012 11:01:46

Cold, wet weather ideal for meningitis

HA NOI (VNS)— More than 120 cases of meningococcal meningitis had been reported since the start of this year, and the Health Ministry's Department of Preventive Medicine has warned the number could increase under cool wet weather conditions.

According to the Department, the seasonal change to colder and wetter weather, especially during the winter-spring transition, could make it easier for the bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis, which causes the most severe form of bacterial meningitis, to develop.

Five of the meningococcal meningitis patients have died.

However, the number of cases had dropped by 40 per cent compared to the same period last year and the number of deaths had fallen by one.

The rate of infection was 0.492 per 100,000 residents between 2007-11.

Doctors warned that meningococcal meningitis could leave severe aftereffects if not treated on time. Patients had high risk of developing mental health problems and being suffered from damage to the brain and eye-sight, among others.

In separate news, Central Highlands Dak Lac Province yesterday announced more than 3,400 children had been hospitalised since the start of the year with hand-foot-mouth disease.

The province said that the number of cases had increased from about 200-400 cases per month to about 730 cases in September and 500 cases so far in October. One child died in March after being infected with hand-foot-mouth disease.

However, officials believed local health departments had made many improvements and limited the number of cases that could have severe aftereffects and possible fatalities. — VNS

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