15 cases of meningococcal disease get year off to deadly start

By CATHERINE MASTERS

The year is off to a bad start in the fight against the deadly meningococcal disease epidemic that has raged for 11 years.

The Ministry of Health confirmed yesterday that 26 people died last year and 660 people became ill, making it the worst year since the epidemic began.

That is nine deaths and 180 victims up on 2000, but spokeswoman Dr Jane O'Hallahan said that in the first two weeks of this year there had already been 15 cases, compared with eight for the first fortnight of last year.

"So yes, at least it's pointing to a year as devastating as 2001."

At least 20 per cent of victims suffer serious disability, such as loss of limbs and neurological abnormalities.

Doctors were "largely in the dark" about why the disease was so bad in New Zealand, but risk factors included overcrowding and passive smoking.

"An epidemic generally takes its course and reaches its peak," said Dr O'Hallahan.

"We had a high number of cases in 1997 [24 deaths and 613 cases]. We had an even worse year last year, so this is what you expect in the course of an epidemic."

The only good news on the horizon was a vaccine being developed specific to the strain of meningococcal group B bacterium responsible for the epidemic, otherwise it could last another 10 years.

The vaccine will be tested on a small number of adults, possibly about the middle of this year.

A safe and effective vaccine would have an almost immediate effect on the epidemic, but it could still be several years before the vaccine was proved and widely available, said Dr O'Hallahan.

In the meantime, doctors had to rely on people recognising signs and symptoms early and seeking help.

"The message to all New Zealanders, especially the parents of small children, is to maintain their vigilance as the epidemic shows no signs of abating."

Figures show that from 1996 to 2000 there was an average 500 cases a year.

Since the epidemic took hold, 4211 cases have been recorded, with 184 deaths.

Symptoms in very young children can include fever and vomiting. They may go off their food and refuse drinks, be excessively sleepy, cry and a rash similar to blood spots under the skin may also appear.

Symptoms in adults are similar and may include a headache.

nzherald.co.nz/health