GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) this week declared an enteroviral meningitis outbreak after having recorded a total of 208 cases in the district in the past month, according to latest statistics.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Viral meningitis is usually the less severe of the two, except in children younger than five years old or those with a weakened immune system.
From 1 February, George had a total of 71 cases of which 66 were suspected and 11 confirmed. Of the 44 cases recorded in Mossel Bay, all 44 were confirmed; Hessequa had one confirmed case; and at Knysna Provincial Hospital, 66 cases recorded until 28 February remain suspected cases.
According to GRDM, none of the cases were from a single geographical area or source, and no deaths and no cases with serious complications have been reported.
'Each case assessed individually'
To understand the difference between confirmed and suspected cases, Eden and Central Karoo Districts health spokesperson Nadia Ferreira explained, "Some cases are clinically diagnosed (suspected) and others by means of laboratory testing (confirmed). But she added that not all patients need to be laboratory-tested for a diagnosis. "Each case is assessed individually," she said.
The latest figures Ferreira had available were for cases recorded between 28 February and 6 March, which came to 26 suspected cases.
Ferreira said the increase in cases is a common occurrence during warmer months and assured residents that there is no need to panic.
According to Life Knysna Private Hospital manager Nevil Vlok, the hospital has had only one confirmed case in the past month.
In the statement issued by GRDM on Tuesday 12 March, it said they are currently busy translating education material into the three official languages and implementing awareness campaigns in the affected areas. The campaigns will comprise mainly of health and hygiene education.
'Children especially vulnerable'
The statement also said people of all ages are at a risk, but children younger than five years old and people with a weakened immune system are at a higher risk.
With this recent outbreak in the district, it said, the role of climate change will also be investigated, and according to Clive Africa, GRDM executive manager of community services, good hygiene practices such as "thorough hand washing" is essential to combat the spread of the disease.
Causes
The most common causes of viral meningitis, according to the GRDM statement, are non-polio enteroviruses, but other viruses can also cause meningitis, such as the mumps, herpes, measles and flu viruses, and lastly the arbovirus (West Nile virus).
Symptoms to look out for
The GRDM advised to look out for the following symptoms in children: fever, poor eating, irritability, lethargy and sleepiness.
Symptoms present in adults may include fever, stiff neck, headache, photophobia (dislike of bright lights), lethargy, sleepiness, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Alternative symptoms include diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Muscle pain, joint aches, sore throat and rash have also been reported. Acute flaccid paralysis has very rarely been associated with enteroviral meningitis.
"People should visit their nearest clinics or private doctors when they spot symptoms," concluded Ferreira.
Read a previous article: Viral meningitis diminishing
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