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The Signs And Symptoms Of Meningcoccal Disease
Remembering The Signs And Symptoms Of Meningcoccal Disease
There have been five cases of meningococcal
disease notified to Waikato
District Health Board since
the beginning of June.
This is one case less than the 2007 June-July period.
Waikato DHB medical officer of
health Anita Bell reminds the public
that even if Waikato
experiences no more cases of the MeNZB strain
of
meningococcal disease, there will always be cases of
other strains.
"It is estimated there will be 5-10 cases
of non-MeNZB strains of
meningococcal disease notified
per year in the Waikato."
Since the beginning of 2008,
there have been seven cases notified in
the region.
In
all these cases, the patients were aged six years and under;
three
were under one-year-old. Two of the seven cases had
received full
vaccination against MeNZB.
Unfortunately, in the two cases fully vaccinated against
MeNZB, it was
the MeNZB strain that caused their
illness.
"Four out of five of these cases were the MeNZB
strain, while one was
another B type of the disease. We
are waiting on results for the other
two cases," said Dr
Bell.
"It was expected that the MeNZB vaccine would not
offer protection to
all those who were vaccinated. At
best it would offer about 75 per cent
protection."
Recently, the Ministry of Health reported that protection
may be less
for younger people and that vaccine
protection is waning.
In 2007, there were 13 cases of
meningococcal disease notified,
compared to 27 cases in
2006. The rate of disease declined from 8.0 to
3.8 per
100,000 people during this time.
"It is timely to remind
people of the signs and symptoms of
meningococcal
disease," said Dr Bell.
"Even if your child has had
the MeNZB vaccine they can still get
other strains of
meningococcal."
Waikato DHB's Population Health Service
sent letters to all schools,
early childcare centres and
kohanga reo that they could use to remind
parents and
carers of the signs and symptoms of meningococcal
disease,
plus other illnesses.
"Meningitis and
septicaemia (blood poisoning) are not always easy
to
recognise and symptoms can appear in any order. Some
may not appear at
all," said Dr Bell.
"In the early
stages, symptoms can be similar to many other more
common
illnesses, such as flu."
She said it was important that
parents and caregivers trust their
instincts and that if
they suspected their child had meningitis or
septicaemia,
to get medical help immediately.
Early symptoms can
include fever, headache, photophobia (unable to look
at
light), nausea, vomiting, a rash and muscle pain, with cold
hands and
feet.
A rash that does not fade under
pressure can be a sign of meningococcal
septicaemia.
"However, if someone is ill or obviously getting worse,
do not wait
for spots or a rash to appear. They may
appear late or may not at
all," said Dr Bell.
"If your
child is unwell and you are in doubt, please seek
medical
advice."
NB: For information regarding MeNZB
immunisation, please refer to the
Ministry of
Health.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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