A case of meningitis has put health professionals and families on the Côte d’Azur on high alert. A two-year-old girl was rushed to a Marseille hospital after doctors diagnosed her with the potentially deadly illness. Since then, authorities have commenced an awareness campaign targeting families who could have come into contact with the toddler.
Contagiousness of bacterial meningitis can be lowered by taking antibiotics. Photo: Sheep purple
The young girl was brought to Jean Marcel Hospital in Brignoles with a high fever on the morning of Saturday 20th July. Doctors there later diagnosed the 32-month-old with meningitis and transferred her to a hospital in the north of Marseille. Var Matin reports that the child was comatose for a period.
Once the diagnosis was made, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) in the Var launched a major watch in order to inform young families and prevent further cases of the disease. Any family with children that could have been in contact with the girl during her time at a nursery in Brignoles are being sought by the agency. According to Var Matin, the child attended the nursery from 10th until 12th July, and at least 40 families could be affected. “We have looked for and asked that every person, children or adults, that could have been in contact with this child during her stay consult a doctor,” said Doctor Béatrice Pasquet, Director of Territorial Delegation with the ARS.
On Sunday morning, these families were called to Jean Marcel hospital, where they were registered and examined by doctors. Children who had not stayed in the nursery at the same time as the little girl were allowed to return home. Those who presented risks received antibiotic treatments. The Var branch of the ARS continues to seek families who have not yet been treated by medical services.
In 2011, a seven-year-old in Nice died after she contracted bacterial meningitis. An endemic was halted by numerous check-ups on children in schools and meetings with parents.
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, a system of membranes close to the central nervous system. There are two types of meningitis – viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis occurs less frequently, but is more serious. 70 per cent of cases of viral meningitis are caught by children under five. However, it can only be spread by being within one metre of a meningitis patient for more than one hour. Contagiousness ends once the patient takes an antibiotic. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis include fever, vomiting and severe headaches. These can be followed by stiffness of the neck, loss of memory, tiredness and even coma.
Var Matin reports that the young girl woke from her coma at around 6.30pm on Monday morning. Mayor of Brignoles Claude Gilardo told the newspaper that he was relieved that the girl was now conscious, but added that it was important to stay alert. “The bacterial meningitis that she has contracted is serious. Her situation has improved over time, but we must remain vigilant,” he said.
Update 23rd July 2013:
Doctors in Marseille now say that the girl is in a stable condition. Var Matin reports that 98 per cent of the people who were in contact with the patient have been checked by the ARS. The nursery has been rigorously cleaned since the girl was admitted to hospital, and should reopen on Wednesday 24th July.
Jane O’Faherty
