Five in 10 of us harbour killer germ

By KATHERINE HOBY

Meningitis is a killer lurking among us.

As many as five in 10 people might carry the meningococcal bacteria in their nose and throat at one time - and in the past three weeks two Waikato teenagers have died of meningococcal disease. But how much do people really know about it?

What is meningococcal disease?


It is a serious bacterial infection caused by a bacterium (germ) Neisseria meningitis, known as meningococci. It usually affects the membrane around the brain (meningitis) or the blood (blood poisoning). It can sometimes cause disability such as deafness, or death.

What are the symptoms?


Symptoms may differ in babies, children, youths, and adults.

At first it can be hard to tell meningococcal disease from other feverish illnesses. The illness may quickly get worse - sometimes in just a few hours. A baby or child may be seriously ill if: they have a fever, refuse drinks or feeds, are sleepy/floppy/hard to wake, vomit, are crying or unsettled, have a rash/spots, or have a headache.

How many people does meningococcal disease affect each year?


Ministry of Health statistics (as at August 3) show 335 cases, with 24 deaths. The disease has killed at least two people since then - Iain Rostern on August 16 and Renee Keatley on August 3.

The peak year was 1997 when 613 cases were notified, including 24 deaths.

Most cases occur in winter or spring, although it is a year-round disease. The rates of disease are higher in Maori or Pacific people, and the rate of disease is highest in children under the age of 5.

Why do only some people get sick?


The meningococci bacteria are often present in many people without causing disease, but on rare occasions they penetrate the defences of the lining of the throat to cause an invasive life-threatening illness.

Why this occurs in one person and not another is not clear. In children the illness may be very non-specific. This is why the most important defence against the disease remains its early recognition.

Can it be treated?


Yes, with antibiotics. It is vital that treatment is begun early.

Can it be prevented?


The spread from one person to another can be prevented once the disease has been identified and close contacts of the person given antibiotics to clear the organism from their throats.

Some forms can be treated by vaccine. At present the type of meningococcal disease causing the majority of cases is serogroup B, for which no vaccine is at present available.

* Information supplied by the Health Ministry.

Babies and young most at risk


Many people often carry the meningococcal bacteria in their nose and throat without getting ill.

As many as two people in every 10 may carry the bacteria in their throats, and this figure can sometimes be as high as five in every 10.

Babies and young people are more likely to develop blood poisoning or meningitis.

The bacteria can be spread by close contact with someone carrying it.

This happens usually without causing harm. Close contact means:

* Living in the same household.

* Sleeping in the same room.

* Attending the same pre-school (for more than just a few hours a week).

* Sharing food, drink or utensils.

* Kissing.