17 March 2009
The Eastern Cape health department has activated an outbreak response team
following the suspected meningitis death of a two years old East London girl at
the weekend.
âThere is no need for alarm: this is just a precautionary measure,â
spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said on Monday. He said the girl, who fell ill last
Tuesday, died on Saturday at Frere Hospital in the city. Doctors suspected she
had meningococcal meningitis, and would send specimens for testing at the
national institute for communicable diseases.
The outbreak team would start distributing prophylaxis on Tuesday to close
contacts of the girl. The department urged parents to monitor their children,
and to immediately take them for medical attention if they showed flu like
symptoms coupled with a high temperature and stiffness of the neck.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
17 March 2009
Source: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za)
