The city of São Paulo carries out a vaccination campaign against meningitis as a preventive measure to expand vaccination coverage among people aged between three months and 59 years, residents of Pari.
The action takes place through the Health Surveillance Unit (Uvis) Mooca/Aricanduva.
To date, two cases of meningococcal meningitis have been confirmed in the region. According to the Municipal Health Department, the cases are not related and there is no characterization of an outbreak in the region.
Among the registered cases, one patient was hospitalized and discharged. The other could not resist the infection and died.
Vaccination against meningitis is available at all Basic Health Units (BHUs) in the capital of São Paulo.
The first dose is given at three months of age, the second at five months and, at 12 months (one year), the booster dose. At 11 or 12 years of age, adolescents are boosted with the ACWY dose.
about meningitis
Considered a public health challenge, meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain, called meninges. The disease can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, with bacterial meningitis having the greatest global impact.
According to the Ministry of Health, meningitis is considered an endemic disease in Brazil. In this context, cases are expected throughout the year, with occasional outbreaks and epidemics. According to the folder, the occurrence of bacterial meningitis is more common in the autumn and winter period, while cases of the disease caused by viruses are more common in spring and summer.
In general, transmission happens from one person to another, through the respiratory tract, by droplets and secretions from the nose and throat. Another type of transmission occurs through ingestion of contaminated water and food in contact with feces.
Bacterial meningitis is usually more serious and symptoms include fever, headache and stiff neck. Other symptoms are malaise, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and mental confusion. Worsening of the disease can lead to convulsions, delirium, tremors and coma.
In newborns and infants, signs include irritation, vomiting, lack of appetite and abnormal response to stimuli and reflexes.
Early signs of viral meningitis are similar to bacterial meningitis, including lack of appetite, irritability, drowsiness or difficulty waking up, and lethargy.
Source: CNN Brasil
