WHAT
IS MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS?
Meningococcal meningitis is caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria
meningitidis [the meningococcus]. Meningococci are common bacteria, which
are "carried" in a person's throat or nose. This bacterium is only found
in people and never in animals or in the general environment. Most people
who harbour these bacteria have no symptoms of disease. It is not entirely
understood why some people become ill following carriage of Neisseria meningitidis,
while others do not. Cases can occur sporadically and in epidemics. Children
and young adults are most affected.
There are many different strains or serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis
and these have been classified into groups, namely, A, B, C, Y, W-135, X
and Z. In Trinidad and Tobago, all but one of the bacterial serogroups associated
with meningococcal meningitis since 1998, have been identified as Group
B.
HOW CAN MENINGOCOCCAL MENINIGITIS BE PREVENTED?
VACCINATION
While effective vaccines are available against Neisseria meningitidis serogroups
A, C, Y and W-135, it must be appreciated that vaccines will only abort
or control outbreaks caused by the specific serogroups contained in the
vaccine. There is currently no licensed vaccine effective against group
B meningococci.
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It must be emphasised that
there are vaccines available against some of the other organisms, which
cause bacterial meningitis. These include vaccines against Hemophilus
influenzae b [Hib] and Streptococcus pnuemoniae. These vaccines, however,
do not protect against infection by the meningococci.
Special antibiotics are available
for persons who have been in close contact with cases of meningococcal
disease. These antibiotics, which are used to prevent the close contacts
from developing the disease, should be administered as soon as possible
[ideally within 24 hours of the case having been identified]. Close contacts
would therefore include, for example:
 | Household members |
| Day-care centre contacts |
| Anyone directly exposed to the patient's oral secretions [such as
a boyfriend or girlfriend] or respiratory droplets. |
WHAT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS CAN BE TAKEN TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MENINGO-
COCCAL MENINIGITIS?
- Avoid overcrowding.
- Do not share drinking bottles, glasses, cigarettes, lipsticks or other
items that may be covered in saliva.
- Avoid smoky and dusty places.
- Teach children not to share cups, soft drink cans or sports water
bottles.
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