Satun residents watched for meningococcal disease
The Nation

SATUN: -- Satun's Khuan Ka Long District heath office has launched measures to monitor the spread of meningococcal disease after a 29-year-old woman developed suspicious symptoms and died on Tuesday. Her five-year-old daughter is currently being treated at Satun Hospital's intensive care unit.

Since initial test results for both patients came out positive for meningococcal disease, further tests have been done and results should be out soon, health official Avudh Phokaew said.

Tambon Khuan Ka Long Health Promotion Hospital has sent out a team to check on students at the 155-pupil Ban Khao Krai School, where the late woman's daughter was going to kindergarten, he said.

In addition to providing information to teachers and pupils, the team also medicated the girl's 13 classmates and some 30 close contacts. The parents have been told to closely monitor all the children for 20 days. The children will also be medicated for a second time soon, he added.

The school was closed yesterday so the facility could be disinfected.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Satun-residents-watched-for-meningococcal-disease-30263664.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-03

Meningococcal disease outbreak kills 1 in Satun

SATUN, 3 July 2015 (NNT) - An outbreak of meningococcal disease has killed one patient in Satun province, prompting local health officials to remain on high alert.

22 locals who recently developed a fever are being monitored by provincial health units for a period of 20 days. Health officials who came in contact with those under surveillance have also been given medication to curb the spread.

A local school, where a student has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease, announced that the school will remain temporarily closed until further measures are implemented. The school is undergoing a thorough cleaning to prevent the contraction of the disease.

Meningococcal disease describes infections caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria spreads through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. Symptoms can include sudden high fever, severe headache, nausea and drowsiness. The disease carries a high mortality rate if untreated, but can be prevented via vaccination.


-- NNT 2015-07-03