Almost a year after twelve cases of invasive meningococcal B infection with a new variant, including one death, were discovered, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional health agency (ARS) has urged 56,000 young people to be vaccinated, the facility told AFP. on Friday, August 12.
“Meningitis is a serious disease that can lead to permanent consequences and even death.Dr. Anne-Sophie Ronneau-Baron, head of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Health Monitoring Center of the ARS, explained to AFP. So we sent 56,000 letters to policyholders aged 16 to 24, the population most likely to be affected by the variant, and to parents of children aged 0-2 as part of a massive vaccination campaign.Anne-Sophie Ronneau-Baron said, confirming the information of the local media.
Two infected people were found at the end of July, bringing the number of cases to twelve in four departments: Savoie (Chambers and its surroundings), Ain, Rhône and Isère. Despite the death of a young man among these cases, “to date we have no specific indication that this version would be more dangerous or more polluting– said the doctor. The meningococcal B bacterium is transmitted as a result of long-term contact with a healthy carrier of the bacterium. It is transmitted through coughing and saliva. The infection causes fever, headache with vomiting, stiff neck, and red or purple spots (purpura) may appear. The meningitis vaccine has been included in the 2022 vaccination calendar since April, and meningitis-related deaths account for around 10% of all meningitis cases, according to the ARS.
Source: Le Figaro
