Health: Meningitis figures normal

2003-08-04 20:24

Johannesburg - The meningitis figures for South Africa this winter are normal, the department of health said on Monday.

"They are not abnormal. During the late winter months there are more cases because of the dry, cold weather," said health spokesperson Jo-Anne Collinge.

She said the department was monitoring the situation, but there was currently no reason for concern.

Three people recently died of the more serious meningococcal meningitis in Potchefstroom in the North West.

Uitenhage

In Uitenhage classes resumed at the Brandwag High School on Monday after a matric pupil was diagnosed with meningitis. Over a thousand people were treated as a precautionary measure on Friday at the school.

"We spent Friday giving all the pupils, their parents and teachers medication," deputy principal Colin Bartle said.

"Classes have resumed, but extra-mural activities have been cancelled and will only resume next Monday."

Bartle thanked the Eastern Cape health department for its assistance in the matter saying the school's community was very pleased.

Kolie Olivier

Kolie Olivier, 18, was admitted to the Cuyler Hospital in Uitenhage last week.

His doctor, Tjaart Groenewald, said Olivier was still ill, but his condition had improved dramatically.

"He is still very sick, and there are many complications from the meningitis. It will still be a while before he has fully recovered," he said.

A woman has also been admitted to the hospital with suspected meningitis.

However Groenewald said the woman had been given antibiotics and was much better.

The Eastern Cape government has set up a task team to ensure that there is no outbreak of meningitis in the area.

Mpumalanga

In Witbank in Mpumalanga a woman has been confirmed as suffering from meningitis and doctors are waiting for the test results from another patient.

Cosmos Hospital spokesperson Marietjies Shelly said doctors expected the test results of man being treated for possible meningitis on Tuesday.

"Even though it has not been confirmed, he is still being nursed in isolation because the hospital has to take all the necessary precautions.

"He is doing very well and it is not believed that he has meningitis, but the tests results will tell us," she said.

The Witbank Provincial Hospital is currently treating a woman for meningitis.

Provincial health spokesperson Dumisani Mlangeni said it was expected that the woman would be discharged soon.

Cases not linked

According to Dr Bernice Harris, the acting communicable disease control consultant for the provincial department, the two Witbank cases were not linked as the man and woman had not been in contact and were from different areas.

She said another two cases of meningitis were reported during the winter in the province.

Harris agreed with Collinge that there was no reason for alarm.

"In winter there are sporadic cases, but the pattern of the disease has been normal," she said.

Another case has been confirmed in Schweizer Reineke in the North West and one reportedly in Kathu in the Northern Cape.

Infectuous disease

Meningococcal meningitis, a highly infectious disease, is a form of acute bacterial meningitis found all over the world. It can be transmitted when people come in close contact with each other, by oral secretions. The disease is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

The symptoms include a stiff neck, severe headaches and a high fever. In South Africa there are sporadic cases throughout the year.

According to Collinge, 218 cases of meningitis were reported in 2000, 274 in 2001 and 224 last year.

- SAPA