The first cases of meningococcal infection among children and adults have been registered in the Mykolaiv region; the state institution “Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention” reported cases of illness but did not specify the number of patients or their condition, urging residents to be vigilant due to the rapid course of this disease.
Meningococcal infection is a bacterial disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis. It is transmitted via respiratory droplets during coughing, sneezing, talking, or kissing. The regional public health center points out that the illness can develop very quickly and pose a real threat to life.
Medical professionals advise knowing the early signs so as not to delay seeking help:
- a sudden rise in body temperature to 39–40°C;
- a severe, worsening headache;
- nausea and vomiting without relief;
- photophobia (sensitivity to light);
- stiffness of the neck muscles;
- a star-shaped rash on the skin.
A particularly alarming sign is a hemorrhagic rash — dark purple spots that do not disappear when pressed. If such a rash appears, urgent medical attention is required.
According to medical estimates, between 300 and 500 thousand cases of meningococcal infection are recorded worldwide each year. The disease can cause severe complications or lead to death within a day, sometimes within hours. The highest mortality risks — at the level of 10–15% — are observed among children under one year of age.
If a child or adult suddenly develops a high fever together with a rash, a severe headache, or altered consciousness, you should immediately contact your family doctor or call an ambulance.
To reduce the risk of infection, it is advised to avoid places with large crowds during seasonal peaks of illness, to strictly follow personal hygiene rules, and to consider vaccination on the recommendation of a doctor. The most effective protection is vaccination: vaccines are available in pharmacies, and vaccinations are administered after consultation with a specialist.
Earlier we wrote:
- In Mykolaiv region 2,831 cases of flu and ARVI in a week: 77 hospitalized, mostly children
- No drugs, but protection exists: a rabies vaccine is available in Mykolaiv region medical facilities
- A deadly virus slipped into the city: a quarantine was imposed in one of Mykolaiv’s districts due to rabies in a cat
- In Mykolaiv region, over 2,000 schoolchildren contracted the flu in a week
- Medical professionals recommend: which vaccines save children’s lives and why you shouldn’t wait
