The doctor explained whether it is possible to catch meningitis through things

An outbreak of meningitis among warehouse workers at a large online store in Yekaterinburg has caused serious concern among both epidemiologists and ordinary consumers. The disease develops at lightning speed, and is transmitted quite easily. It is already known about two dead, 7 people became infected. And many are concerned about the question: can meningococcus be transmitted with things that are sold on the marketplace.

Sanitary doctors are working at the outbreak site, the boundaries of the outbreaks have been determined at the places of residence and work of the infected. Disinfection of premises, medical examination and laboratory examination of contacts are carried out, all contacts are vaccinated.

Meningitis belongs to a group of dangerous infections that cause brain damage, with a mortality rate of 4% to 20% and a high probability for the sick person to remain disabled for the rest of his life. There are three main types of meningitis: bacterial, viral and fungal. And if viral and fungal are not so life-threatening, then bacterial meningitis is the most common and dangerous of those listed. In most cases, it is caused by meningococcal and pneumococcal infections, as well as Haemophilus influenzae.

The disease begins as SARS – with fever, headache, sensitivity to light. And often in the early stages of the disease, patients do not understand that they need to urgently seek medical help.

Given that meningitis develops rapidly, and its last stages of development are deadly, such a delay can be fatal.

Every fourth person who has been ill becomes disabled or has irreversible health complications (loss of hearing, vision, amputation of limbs, neurological disorders). Meningitis is especially dangerous for those who have a weakened immune system. First of all, this applies to children under five years of age – their immune system is not yet fully formed and cannot fully fight certain types of infections.

Alas, meningococcal infection most often affects the young and healthy. The marketplace itself reported that contractors had become distributors of the dangerous pathogen. A mask regime has been introduced at the warehouse, the temperature of employees at the entrance is measured and surfaces are treated with an antiseptic. And they assure that it is safe to receive orders.

Is this so, “MK” asked the famous Russian epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vadim Pokrovsky:

– Meningococcal infection is not transmitted through household items, it is an airborne disease. Neisseria meningitides do not live long on surfaces, but quickly die in the environment.

I want to reassure you: the vast majority of people suffer from meningitis in a mild form, in the form of nasopharyngitis. But, unfortunately, there is a small percentage of people, apparently with a genetic susceptibility. It has not yet been established why meningococcus enters the blood – and either a septic condition (meningococcenia) or meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) develops. Therefore, of course, there are special groups that are recommended to be vaccinated.

– But how to determine who is genetically predisposed?

– This is the most difficult thing now. The question is being discussed whether mass vaccination is necessary or whether special population groups should be vaccinated. The only thing that can be said is that the disease at an early stage is now well cured, and if you develop a fever with severe headaches or a rash that resembles hemorrhages, you should immediately consult a doctor. We have been fighting this disease for a long time, but so far no one has presented convincing data on the genetic factor that predisposes to the development of severe forms.

– And yet, children are significantly more likely to get sick …

– Naturally, in childhood, the likelihood of getting sick is higher. An important symptom is such severe pain that a person cannot bend his head, the so-called muscle stiffness – then immediately see a doctor. The same thing should be looked at in children – if the child cannot bend the neck to the chin, call the doctor immediately.

…Meanwhile, last year, Russian epidemiologists warned that after the pandemic, the number of outbreaks of meningitis in the country began to increase, and in the near future outbreaks of bacterial meningitis would only become more frequent. Last year, several outbreaks were recorded, including in Moscow and the Moscow region. If the situation is not taken under control, it can become unmanageable.

Moreover, according to infectious disease specialists, hypervirulent strains (for example, a Chinese strain and a strain from the USA) have been spreading in the world in recent years. At the same time, there is an increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, including penicillin. And the bacterium that causes meningitis is one of the most variable.

Scientists explain the increase in the number of outbreaks by lockdowns experienced around the world and postponements of scheduled vaccination: as soon as quarantines were lifted, a two-fold increase in meningitis was recorded in the world, and this is against the background of reduced volumes of vaccinated people.

Last year, there were outbreaks in Russia in Novosibirsk (62 people fell ill in 2.5 months), Moscow (in 2022 there were 7 foci), Moscow region (Istra district, where 7 people fell ill with meningococcal meningitis, 1 died).

Epidemiologists warn that for many years we lived in an inter-epidemic period, but now there are all signs that it is ending.