Suspected meningitis-induced death of school child probed

Dubai: Health authorities here are investigating the death of a child in a suspected case of meningitis.

An official said health authorities have launched a probe into the death early this month of a child who goes to school in Dubai Silicon Oasis and that the school is in touch with them.

Meningitis is caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord due to a bacterial or fungal infection.

It is considered a serious disease and is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Another child from a different school who was also suspected of having meningitis is recovering, Gulf News has learnt.

A precautionary letter from a Dubai school, dated October 29, a copy of which was obtained by Gulf News, warned parents of the seriousness of the disease.

“We are writing to notify you that there is a suspected case of meningitis in the Early Years,” the letter issued by the head of the Early Years read.

“It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you or your child have any of the symptoms.”

Gulf News contacted the school but no one was immediately available for comment.

Meningitis can be caused by any trigger – viral, bacterial, fungal, any kind of microorganisms or even chemical- that affects the outer covering or meninges of the brain, therefore it is difficult to have a complete line of defence against it although certain vaccinations against the meningococcal strain and that caused by Haemophilius Influeza Virus ( HiB) can give a considerable amount of protection. 

According to Dr Rajesh Sharma, paediatrician at the Mother and Child Medical Centre, Sharjah, the most common portal of entry for the meningitis is through the respiratory or nasal tract.

“The meningitis that is caused by the meningococcal virus is the most fatal and cause death within 24 hours. The other dangerous strain is Tubeculur Meningitis which is responsible for many morbidities,” Dr Sharma told Gulf News.

Usually places that have a concentration of people are prone to meningitis outbreak as it can be transmitted through cough and direct contact. Children in the age of 0-8 years – pre-schoolers and early schoolers are highly vulnerable.  herefore, day care centres and nurseries are susceptible.

Children can be protected against the deadlier strains with the meningococcal and Hib Vaccine. “At the moment Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) includes these vaccines in its immunisation schedule and they need to be administered at the age of nine months and then repeated with booster dose three months later. This gives protection for about 5-10 years,” added Dr Sharma.

While investigations continue about the death of the school girl, if there is any kind of confirmation that the cause of death is meningitis, then a definite protocol will have to be followed where all the children who came in contact with her will have to be given a dose of the antibiotic Rifampicin and be kept under observation.

Dr Saeed Taghizadeh, specialist Neurologist at Prime Hospital Dubai, told Gulf News: “Parents need to watch out for symptoms of fever accompanied with headache and immediately consult their doctor. Meningitis can cause other symptoms such as blurred vision, nausea, aversion to bright lights and loud sounds, deterioration of the sensorium, weakness of the face, extreme fatigue etc. However, these are symptoms of later stages. Take your child to the doctor is he or she has fever accompanied by headache.”

Symptoms:

More to follow.