Meningitis outbreak in Kavango, Ohangwena

AT least 22 people have been admitted to hospital at Rundu and Engela in the Ohangwena Region since the beginning of October, suffering from meningitis.

Under Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Dr Norbert Forster, told The Namibian yesterday that 17 confirmed cases of meningitis were reported at Rundu, while three were reported in Engela District of the Ohangwena Region. Of the five people admitted to hospital at Engela, three were confirmed to be suffering from meningitis.No one had since died of the disease, Forster said.”It’s infectious and can be spread through coughing,” he explained.Forster said meningococcal meningitis could be cured with antibiotics.However, he cautioned it could lead to death if not treated early.Meningococcal meningitis is an infection caused by the bacterium meningitis (also known as meningococcus), that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.Most of the patients hospitalised had already been discharged, said Forster.The outbreak of meningitis has prompted the Ministry of Health to carry out vaccination campaigns in the said regions and do date, more Most cases of meningococcal meningitis occur in children, from infancy to adolescence.Of the five people admitted to hospital at Engela, three were confirmed to be suffering from meningitis. No one had since died of the disease, Forster said.”It’s infectious and can be spread through coughing,” he explained.Forster said meningococcal meningitis could be cured with antibiotics.However, he cautioned it could lead to death if not treated early. Meningococcal meningitis is an infection caused by the bacterium meningitis (also known as meningococcus), that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.Most of the patients hospitalised had already been discharged, said Forster.The outbreak of meningitis has prompted the Ministry of Health to carry out vaccination campaigns in the said regions and do date, more Most cases of meningococcal meningitis occur in children, from infancy to adolescence.