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WHO investigates unexplained cluster of illnesses, deaths in Liberia
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While investigating an unexplained cluster of illnesses and deaths in Liberia, health officials found that several cases have tested positive for Neisseria menigitidis, according to WHO.
The outbreak began on April 23, when an 11-year-old child was admitted to a hospital for diarrhea, vomiting and mental confusion after attending a funeral the day before. The child died within 1 hour of admission. Since then, 30 other funeral attendees or contacts became ill. A total of 13 deaths were reported as of May 9.
With support from WHO and other public health partners, the country’s ministry of health quickly responded to the outbreak using the emergency management and laboratory infrastructure developed during the Ebola epidemic. Blood, urine and plasma samples were submitted to the U.S. CDC for testing.
As of May 5, 21 specimens tested negative for Ebola virus and Lassa fever. However, WHO reported today that samples from four deceased patients tested positive for N. menigitidis.
“Liberia is not in the ‘meningitis belt’; therefore, this could mean the country will need to be prepared for more frequent occurrence of the disease,” Alex Gasasira, MBChB, WHO representative in Liberia, told Infectious Disease News.
Although this information suggests that meningitis may be the probable cause of illness and death in these patients, an investigation is still ongoing to determine whether the bacteria is linked to the other cases in this cluster.
“Knowing the exact cause will direct the response more precisely, although measures taken so far were correct and should continue: informing the affected people and their contacts, asking people to seek medical help if they feel unwell, ensuring health workers practice infection prevention and control, isolating the affected patients from other patients, and so on,” Gasasira said. “Once the source is confirmed, the course of action is determined in more detail.
“Already, the ministry of health is discussing if a targeted vaccination campaign would be the right approach. It will be important for the public to continue to be kept abreast of the situation so they, too, understand the risks and prevention (i.e., getting vaccinated, limiting contact with those who are infected).” – by Stephanie Viguers
Disclosure: Gasasira reports no relevant financial disclosures.