24 February 2009
On Monday, 23 February 2009, a learner aged seven years from Emaweni Primary
School (in Soweto) died from viral meningitis at Chris Hani Baragwanath
Hospital. This illness is not infectious and can therefore not be transferred
to another person.
As a precaution, the Gauteng Department of Health's Outbreak Response Team
dealing with cases of meningitis visited the school and the community of
Senaone in Soweto where the child comes from. This offered an opportunity to
monitor the situation on site as well as offer relevant information to persons
contacted. Nobody was found to have signs of the illness, including the fatal
bacterial meningitis.
The cause of death and its implications was also explained to the parents
and will be communicated to dispel fears of an outbreak in the school as well
as the community. 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
24 February 2009
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.health.gpg.gov.za)
