20 February 2009
Yesterday, following the death of a 15 year old Mondeor High school learner
from bacterial meningitis, Gauteng Department of Health dispatched to the
school an outbreak response team made up of health promoters, environmental
health officers, professional nurses and doctors to monitor the situation.
About 600 learners, staff members and school committee members at the school
as well as 15 other children who were travelling in the same taxi with the girl
who passed on and its driver were given preventative medication. This included
educational talk about the illness. Family members also received treatment and
support and are being closely monitored.
After the girl's death, a teacher and four other learners were admitted in
hospital as a further precautionary measure. They all tested negative for
bacterial meningitis. Four will be discharged soon and one learner will remain
in hospital for treatment of a different unrelated illness.
The Gauteng Department of Health, assisted by district and Johannesburg
municipality health workers as well as the Gauteng Department of Education has
designed joint operational teams to maintain control over the situation and
dispel fears of an outbreak in the school and community.
Today, the outbreak response team went back to the school to give
preventative medication to those who were not available yesterday, as well as
to educate principals from the neighbouring schools and to continue monitoring
the situation. The signs for meningitis are severe headache, fever, vomiting,
irritability, reduced consciousness and rashes on the body. It is spread
through drops of fluids from the mouth, throat or nose of someone who has the
illness.
To prevent meningitis one must avoid contact with any person with suspicion
of the illness, and must also wash their hands after touching the affected
person. Those who experience these symptoms or have been in contact with people
with meningitis should immediately present themselves at a health facility
where they will be examined and given necessary medication.
Enquiries:
Phumelele Kaunda
Cell: 082 334 9851
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
20 February 2009
Source: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.health.gpg.gov.za/)
