A report stated that the cases registered in 2024 doubled the figure compared to the same period of the previous year. This disease has a mortality rate of 50% and its symptoms can be similar to those of the flu.
The meningitis It is a serious disease that mainly affects young children and, if not treated in time, can have irreversible consequences. He Santa Fe Epidemiological Reportstated that during 2024, 34 cases of bacterial meningitis were recorded.
This alarming figure has already doubled the cases registered compared to the same period of the previous year, and most of them belong to the serogroup Bwhile furthermore, andl 26.4% of those infected were under 1 year old, and the 23.5% He is between 5 and 9 years old.
“The bacterial meningitis “It is a serious infection that is located at the level of the meninges that cover our brain,” he explained. Enrique Casanuevainfectologist and pediatrician, and added that “meningococcus serogroup B is a type of Neisseria meningitidis that has several different immunotypes and is the prevalent in Argentina”.
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“Meningococcal disease has a 50% mortality if not treated with antibiotics and 10 to 14% with treatment. Those who survive they can be left with amputations, seizures, sensory/emotional disorders and others,” Casanueva added.
In relation to whether there is any cause for which cases doubled registered with respect to the same period of the previous year, said that in the outbreaks of invasive meningococcal infections “different serogroups (A, B, C, W, Y) participate and within them some genotypes that have greater transmission capacity“.
On the other hand, he added that “also factors interfere related to the number of susceptible people, social behaviors such as those observed in pilgrimages to Mecca and in vaccination coverage.
Regarding Argentinacommented that “less than 80% of children 15 months and only 60% of adolescents receive the quadrivalent ACWY vaccine that is on the national calendar. The meningococcus B vaccine It is on the national calendar only for special guests” and stressed that the most effective way to prevent it is vaccination.
What are the symptoms
The symptoms symptoms of meningitis, may be flu-like and they can even manifest for several hours or days. In anyone over 2 years of age, they include following:
- Sudden high fever.
- Stiffness in the neck.
- Severe headache.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating.
- Seizures.
- Drowsiness or difficulty waking up.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Lack of appetite or thirst.
- Skin rash in some cases.
Signs in newborns and babies:
- High fever.
- Constant crying.
- Very sleepy or irritable.
- Difficulty waking up.
- Inactivity or laziness.
- Inability to wake up to eat.
- Poor nutrition.
- Vomiting.
- Bump on the fontanelle on the top of the baby’s head.
- Stiffness in the body and neck.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
