Meningitis: 56,000 young people called for vaccination after several serious cases

The mail arrived in 56,000 mailboxes in more than 200 municipalities, located around Chambéry (Savoie) and east of Lyon (Rhône).

Aimed at young people aged 16 to 24 and parents of children aged 0 to 2, it invites them to get vaccinated against meningitis.

For a year, the number of meningococcal B infections has indeed increased sharply in these sectors, with twelve cases, including one fatal and two serious.

"This is a new variant that we did not know until now", specifies Anne-Sophie Ronnaux-Baron, head of health monitoring at the Regional Health Agency (ARS) Auvergne - Rhône- Alps.

“Form B of meningococcus is not known to be responsible for an epidemic, like A or C, concedes professor of infectiology Jean-Paul Stahl.

But she kills!

It causes about 15% of deaths, sometimes within hours.

It must be taken very seriously”, assures the doctor from Grenoble who considers this large open vaccination campaign “essential.

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A new strain

Over the past year, a particular, new strain has grown, among 16-21 year olds, to the point of alerting the authorities.

A young person died, another shows significant sequelae and a last presents a so-called fulminant purpura, purplish spots which cover the body.

"We must limit the appearance of new cases", insists Anne-Sophie Ronnaux-Baron.

But why babies under 2?

“This new variant can be transmitted to them,” she replies, recalling in passing that for this age group vaccination has been strongly recommended since April 2022.

Giving strong headaches, vomiting, stiff neck, body spots, the bacteria, nestled in the tonsils is transmitted by "droplets", in clear, kissing, or during a sneeze or d a postilion.

“There is then an urgent nature of care, as soon as symptoms appear”, specifies Professor Stahl.

A green number has been set up: 0 800 100 378.