NEWS RELEASE

Tuesday 8 December 2009

Protection against meningitis welcomed but remain vigilant this winter

A decade of protecting children and young people against the meningococcal C strain of meningitis, a type of bacteria that can cause meningitis and blood poisoning, has been welcomed by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Meningitis Research Foundation.

Diane McConnell, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Meningitis Research Foundation, said: “In the ten years since the introduction of the Men C vaccine we have seen a huge decrease in deaths from it. Before the vaccine was introduced there would have been up to 1,000 cases of this devastating disease every year across the UK. Now, thanks to parental confidence in the vaccine ensuring high uptake rates, we see only a few cases of Meningitis C.

“While we recognise this is a major milestone in terms of eliminating Men C there is still no vaccine against the Group B meningococcal strain which causes around 90% of meningococcal cases. It is crucial that people are aware of the signs and symptoms of this strain as a baby or child with meningitis or septicaemia can become very ill very quickly. Parents and health professionals must still remain vigilant at this time of year.”

The main symptoms of meningitis in babies may include a high-pitched, moaning cry, irritable when picked up, bulging fontanelle (soft spot on baby’s forehead), being drowsy and difficult to wake, floppy and listless or stiff with jerky movements, refusing feeds, vomiting, skin that is pale, blotchy or turning blue and fever. Meningitis is a swelling of the lining of the brain and septicaemia is blood poisoning - both are very serious.

The main symptoms of septicaemia can include fever with cold hands and feet, vomiting, refusing to feed, breathlessness, severe sleepiness, red or purple spots that do not fade under pressure when doing the ‘tumbler test’. If someone is ill and has a rash press a glass tumbler firmly against the skin. If the rash can still be seen through the tumbler then the advice is to get medical help immediately.

Dr Lorraine Doherty, Assistant Director for Public Health (Health Protection) with the PHA, said: “This is the time of year when there is a tendency to see more cases of meningococcal meningitis. In recent days we have seen several cases of meningitis in children so our advice to parents would be to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis. However, not everyone will have all of the symptoms and the symptoms can appear in any order so if your child is unwell and you are concerned about them, seek medical assistance urgently.”

Dr Doherty also welcomed the success of the Men C vaccine and said: “Prior to the vaccine being introduced, Men C disease was particularly serious and left many survivors with amputations, paralysis, deafness and other disabilities. Now death from this strain of meningitis is almost unknown. Since this vaccine was introduced 10 years ago the number of babies under one year with Men C disease has fallen by around 95% making its success one of the most effective health protection measures of the past decade. This is one of the childhood diseases parents fear most and parents can be reassured that by having their children vaccinated they are protecting them against this very dangerous strain of the disease.”

Babies and young people aged between 15 and 24 are most at risk of getting this strain of the disease so it is important they come for the vaccine when they are invited. Vaccines provide the best form of protection however it is vital to remain vigilant.

- ENDS -

Notes to the editor:

The accompanying pdf (available on the PHA website) shows clearly the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia for everyone to be aware of.

Further information can be found by visiting www.meningitis.org

Meningitis Research Foundation operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline 080 8800 3344 which provides information on meningitis and septicaemia for the public and health professionals.

For further information contact:

PHA Press Office on 028 9031 1611 and Marbeth Ferguson, Medical Information Officer, Meningitis Research Foundation on 028 9032 1283.