Falklands : MENINGOCELE MENINGITIS THREAT IN THE FALKLANDS Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 20.06.2006 (Article Archived on 04.07.2006)
A patient with Meningocele Meningitis was admitted to the KEMH on 14 June 2006. The bacteria exists in most communities and there can be occasional cases but this is the first case in the Falkland Islands in the past 15 years. This is a serious form of Meningitis that affects the young and elderly most often.
MENINGOCELE MENINGITIS THREAT IN THE FALKLANDS
By J. Brock (FINN)
A patient with Meningocele Meningitis was admitted to the KEMH on 14 June 2006. The bacteria exists in most communities and there can be occasional cases but this is the first case in the Falkland Islands in the past 15 years. This is a serious form of Meningitis that affects the young and elderly most often.
As in the UK, the KEMH has a vaccine programme against this disease for children and young adults. Records at the KEMH show that 95% of children have already been vaccinated. The KEMH will be contacting those children and young adults that have not been vaccinated. The recipients of the letter should check in with the health visitor. It is not recommended that older people be vaccinated.
All those who have been in close contact with this patient have been contacted and given antibiotics to prevent the illness from spreading. Other members of the community are very unlikely to be affected by this illness.
Any concerns or questions should be brought through the casualty department on phone 28042. The Health Visitor on 28080 may also be contacted.
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