People everywhere, at any age, can be infected with meningitis, which is transmitted by respiratory secretions or droplets in narrow human contact. Low and intermediate income nations are the least affected.
The so-called “meningitis belt” in sub-Saharan Africa sees most cases and epidemics. It extends from Senegal and Gambia west of the continent to East Ethiopia.
The most dangerous form of the disease, bacterial meningitis can kill in just 24 hours – and one in six people die once infected.
“Each family who has had a case of meningitis knows what the fear that this disease can bring,” said Dr. Marie-Pierre Preziosi, who heads the team for meningitis and the R&D plan.
Perpetuated
About 20% of people who contract bacterial meningitis develop long -term complications, including disabilities with a devastating and long -standing impact, which said in a statement.
Additional attention must be paid to the coverage of vaccination to avoid critical problems, including the deficiency of the brain function, warned Dr. Tarun Dua, which is heading for brain health, addressing journalists when launching new directives.
Class fracture
Hearing loss is only a side effect of the disease; It is often particularly harmful to children whose education suffers. But if it can be detected quickly according to the new WHO directives “you can provide treatment and the child may be well included” at school and in society, “said Dr. Dua.
A group of three or four cases among schoolchildren can be treated with antibiotics, but only if vaccination levels are raised, according to Dr. Lorenzo Pezzoli, WHO in a team for meningitis and epidemic bacterial diseases.
Is it worth a shot
But many countries cannot afford to provide protection against vaccines to ensure collective immunity against many diseases, not just meningitis. In addition, they also do not have the advanced technology required to diagnose the disease in the first place, which is not as simple as a COVVI-19 swab test.
“You must insert the needle into the spine and test the liquid that comes out,” said Dr. Pezzoli, highlighting the difficulty confronted with many low -income countries retained by bad health establishments.
In an increasing number of countries affected by the emergency crisis or conflicts, people cannot obtain the treatment they need as quickly as they should, creating “fertile land for meningitis epidemics,” said Dr. Pezzoli, who added that his two -year -old son had his blow for illness.
The directives of the United Nations Health Agency are part of its efforts to eradicate meningitis by 2030. He works with partners, including the Menafrinet network, to support countries to collect and analyze high -quality disease monitoring data. This makes it possible to monitor the impact of control strategies, including the AM meningitis vaccine.
Prevention is “the most important piece in the puzzle,” insisted Dr. Pezzoli.
