Two days after the death of a young woman in Rennes, a 17 -year -old teenager died of dazzling meningitis in Narbonne, without any relation between the two cases, according to the ARS.
- A 17 -year -old teenager died of meningitis this Wednesday, February 5, near Narbonne, in Aude.
- The teenager had an invasive infection of meningococcus, which are bacteria.
- For the moment, this case is considered isolated in the Aude but epidemiological investigations are underway to identify the contact cases.
In Aude, near Narbonne, a 17 -year -old teenager died of meningitis this Wednesday, February 5, according to a press release The Occitanie Regional Health Agency. This rare but serious disease, which is characterized by a “Inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that protect the brain and the spinal cord “according to Vidal. It can be due to a virus, a bacteria, a fungus or a microscopic parasite.
The risks of transmission of meningitis remain low
According to ARS Occitanie, the teenager suffered from an invasive infection in meningococci, which are bacteria. Epidemiological investigations are underway and, for the moment, this case is considered isolated, but “About twenty people were called upon to quickly contact their attending physician to receive preventive antibiotic treatment “, said the press release. These people at risk had contacts “narrow, close and prolonged “ (Less than a meter for an hour) within ten days before the adolescent contracts the disease, on January 27.
“”The germ being very fragile in the environment, the risks of transmission are very low, specifies the ARS. There is no need to disinfect premises, or prescribe preventive treatment for people who have had occasional contact with the sick person. “
This death comes three days after that of an 18 -year -old young woman on Monday, February 3 to Rennes, also suffering from meningitis. The two cases are similar, the teenager being also affected by a Meningococcal infection, but these two dead, having taken place more than 800 kilometers from each other, have no link.
Vaccination to protect yourself from meningococcal infections
As Ars Occitania reminds us, in a press release“The vaccine is the only effective way to prevent meningococcus and its consequences “. Vaccines against several types of meningococci (A, B, C, W and Y) have been compulsory for infants since January 1. “”The vaccination against meningococcus C, already compulsory, has been replaced by that against ACWY meningococci, while vaccination against meningococcus B, hitherto highly recommended, has also become compulsory “specifies the agency.
The first dose of vaccine against meningococcus ACWY was administered at the age of 6 months and a second at the age of 12 months. With regard to the Meningococcal B vaccine B, a first injection is made at the age of 3 months, a second injection at the age of 5 months, and a recall at the age of 12 months.
For adolescents, there is no vaccination obligation, but the Ministry of Health issues the following recommendation: “The ACWY meningococcal vaccine is also recommended in all adolescents aged 11 to 14, according to a diagram at one dose, regardless of their vaccination status. As part of a vaccination catch -up, this vaccination is also recommended between 15 and 24 years old. “
