concern after several cases in Rhône-Alpes

by time news

Twelve cases in one year. Nothing to talk about a large-scale epidemic, but a situation that still worries the health authorities. Since June 2021, 12 adolescents and young adults have been affected by a new form of meningococcal B meningitis in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. One person died and two cases are considered serious, with an unfavorable prognosis.

56,000 young people invited to be vaccinated

Since this weekend, the regional health agency (ARS) has therefore invited all young people aged 16 to 24 in the affected municipalities to be vaccinated, i.e. 56,000 people. Parents of children aged 0 to 2 are also called upon to approach their doctors for vaccination. One hundred and fifteen municipalities around Chambéry are affected by the alert and 90 others in eastern Lyon (the list is available in full on the ARS website). A green number has been set up: 0 800 100 378.

The vaccination consists of two doses for adolescents and young adults, as well as a booster for babies. It can be carried out by general practitioners or in certain pharmacies and vaccination centres. Vaccination prevents the development of severe forms of the disease but does not prevent the transmission of meningococci. Meningitis of bacterial origin, those caused by meningococci, can be much more serious than those of viral origin, with a mortality rate of around 10%.

Call the emergency services in case of purplish spots

The renewed epidemic in Rhône-Alpes is due to a new variant of the disease, still poorly understood. «The situation was under surveillance until nowdescribes Anne-Sophie Ronnaux-Baron, from ARS Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in an interview with France 3. But we were forced to reflect on the implementation of specific actions, because the threshold and the incidence of these invasive meningococcal B infections were too high.. »

The symptoms remain identical to those of other meningitis. Patients experience high fever, vomiting accompanied by severe headaches and neck stiffness and body aches. In case of purpura, red or purple spots, you must immediately prevent emergencies, purpura being the sign of bleeding under the skin and a serious risk of septicism.

Meningitis, due to bacteria found in the throat and nose, is transmitted by postillions, during a coughing fit for example, and by saliva. Wearing a mask therefore limits the risks. People who have been in contact with the sick are notified individually by the health agency to quickly start broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment.

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