2 junior high school students died one after another. What is the “deadly” meningitis?

Recent

No.1 Middle School of Huangzhong District, Xining, Qinghai

News of 2 students dying of illness

Attracting the attention of netizens

July 3

Xining Huangzhong District Education Bureau

The Health Bureau issued

About Huangzhong District No.1 Middle School

Notice on the death of two students due to illness

The notice stated that the two students were

Meningococcal meningitis

Category B infectious diseases

Case 1 related information:

On the evening of June 5, Ma Moumou, a student in Grade 8 (5) of Huangzhong District No. 1 Middle School, died at the Qinghai Provincial Women and Children's Hospital after failed rescue efforts.

After verification, after the third get out of class on the morning of June 5, Huangzhong District No. 1 Middle School began to set up the college entrance examination room and went on holiday on time. After Ma returned home, he immediately replied in the class group that he had arrived home. At noon on June 6, Ma's parents called the class teacher to report that "Ma died on the evening of June 5 due to illness and ineffective rescue."

Case 2 related information:

At noon on June 26, Yan Moumou, an eighth-grade (5) student at Huangzhong District No. 1 Middle School, died in the Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital after failed rescue efforts.

After verification, on the evening of June 25, Yan's parents called to report that their child had inhaled cold air after returning home, and asked whether the school would organize any activities. The school verified that the class was normal that day and no extracurricular activities were arranged. At the same time, it was learned that after school that afternoon, student Yan and seven classmates spontaneously went to the Gaipai Lane basketball court to play basketball.

On the morning of June 26, the parents called to report that their child was not in good condition and asked the class teacher for sick leave. At noon, the parents called to inform the class teacher that the child had died in the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University after failed rescue efforts.

What is meningococcal disease?
Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis (abbreviated as meningitis) is a respiratory infectious disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis infecting the meninges or cerebrospinal membranes . The disease often occurs in spring, with the peak period from February to May .

Neisseria meningitidis (Photo source: Guangdong CDC)

How is meningococcal disease spread?

Meningococcal disease is mainly spread through respiratory droplets, which can be spread through coughing, sneezing, etc. For infants and young children under 2 years old, close contact with family members is also a very important mode of transmission.

Image source: Guangdong Centers for Disease Control

It should be noted that the general population is susceptible to meningococcal meningitis. Children under 5 years old are prone to meningococcal meningitis , especially infants aged 6 months to 2 years old, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Due to the characteristics of collective learning and living, schools and kindergartens are high-risk places for meningococcal meningitis and should be paid special attention to.

What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?
The main clinical manifestations of meningococcal disease include acute fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, photophobia, skin ecchymosis , etc. In severe cases, shock or even death may occur.
When young infants and young children are infected with meningococcal meningitis, the condition is generally more serious, and is often manifested by sleep disturbance, sudden screaming, staring blankly, and even whole-body convulsions.

Usually, the early symptoms of meningococcal disease are similar to those of the common cold , which can easily lead to confusion and misdiagnosis, thus delaying treatment.

Image source: Visual China

According to the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the mortality rate of meningococcal meningitis is high (over 10%), and the prognosis is poor, which will seriously affect life. 20% of meningococcal meningitis patients will be left with severe limb and tissue disabilities , and 1/3 of the infected people will have lifelong sequelae related to neurological damage , such as intelligence, vision, hearing, motor ability, and perception.

How to prevent meningococcal infection?
● Vaccination against meningococcal meningitis

According to the "National Immunization Program Vaccine Childhood Immunization Schedule and Instructions (2021 Edition)", children of appropriate age should be vaccinated with group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine at 6 and 9 months of age , and booster doses of group A+C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine at 3 and 6 years of age . Both are free immunization program vaccines .

● Non-pharmacological interventions

Develop good living and hygiene habits; ventilate frequently to keep the indoor air circulating; strengthen exercise, keep a regular schedule, get enough sleep, and eat a balanced diet to improve the body's disease resistance.

● Seek medical attention promptly

When symptoms appear, seek medical attention promptly; early detection and early standardized treatment can alleviate symptoms and avoid serious health damage.