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Popular Oregon Freshman, 18, Dies 'unexpectedly': Health Officials Investigate Whether She Succumbed To Sudden Bacterial Infection
Lauren Jones, 18, a popular member of the University of Oregon acrobatics and tumbling team, passed away 'unexpectedly'
A University of Oregon student died suddenly yesterday with public health officials investigating whether a bacterial infection was the cause.
Lauren Jones, 18, a popular member of the acrobatics and tumbling team, passed away 'unexpectedly' after seeking medical attention, the college said in a statement.
Rob Mullens, from the college's Athletics department, wrote to students explaining that bacterial infection meningococcemia may have been the cause.
He said: 'You may have heard the incredibly sad news that Lauren Jones, a freshman on the Acrobatics and Tumbling Team, required medical attention and died unexpectedly.
'This is a heartbreaking situation for our community. We have identified that one of the potential causes for her death – which has not been confirmed – may be meningococcemia.'
Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach Chelsea Shaw said: 'This is a terrible and sudden loss for our whole Oregon community, as well our acrobatics and tumbling team family. Lauren was such a positive and bright spirit every day, and her smile was contagious.
'She will be greatly missed and our prayers and deepest condolences go out to her whole family, friends, previous teammates and anyone else who had the opportunity to know Lauren.'
Jones graduated from Southwest Dekalb High School in Lithonia, Georgia, in 2014. She was the captain of Southwest Dekalb's varsity gymnastics team and was named the most valuable player her senior season.
Jones was the captain of her club competitive cheerleading team and was also the MVP of her high school's varsity cheer squad. She was an honor roll honoree and a member of her school's band.
Rob Mullens, from the University of Oregon's Athletics department, wrote to students explaining that bacterial infection meningococcemia may have been the cause of Lauren's death
Jones graduated from Southwest Dekalb High School in Lithonia, Georgia, in 2014
Mr Mullens added: 'As we honor Lauren's spirit, we are providing comfort and support to her coaches, teammates and fellow student-athletes as they go through the grieving process.'
Lane County Health & Human Services is working to establish the cause of death.
A spokesperson told Kval.Com: 'If this turns out to be meningitis or Meningococcemia, public health will work with the university to identify and notify additional contacts.'
Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach Chelsea Shaw said 'this is a terrible and sudden loss for our whole Oregon community'. Pictured is the University of Oregon
Rio De Janeiro Says Meningitis Cases On The Rise
Saturday, October 1st 2022 - 10:08 UTCFull article
Vaccination will still be available even after the end of the national campaign, Rio de Janeiro authorities explained Health authorities in the Brazilian State of Rio de Janeiro have announced the number of cases of meningitis recorded so far in 2022 already exceeds those detected all throughout 2021.
According to the Rio de Janeiro State Health Secretariat (SES), there is no outbreak of the disease.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The microorganisms that cause it can be viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other agents. Viral meningitis is the most common and is less severe. On the other hand, meningococcal disease is caused by different types of bacteria called meningococci, which can cause more severe meningitis or even meningococcemia, the generalized infection caused by meningococcus.
The SES reported Thursday that between January and August 2022, the number of cases of meningococcal disease in the state increased 55.5% when compared to the same period in 2021. Throughout 2021, 30 cases of meningococcal disease were reported, with eight patients dying. In 2022, until August, there are already 28 notifications of the disease and seven deaths.
If all cases of meningitis are considered, the 977 recorded so far in the state already exceed the 959 counted throughout the year 2021.
Brazil'sNational Immunization Program offers different types of vaccines that protect against different types of bacterial meningitis: the meningococcal C (conjugate) vaccine, which prevents type C meningococcal disease; the Penta vaccine, which prevents meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae B bacteria, as well as four other diseases; and the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, which protects against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y. There is also bacterial meningitis caused by pneumococci, whose 10 main serotypes are prevented by the Pneumococcal 10-Valent vaccine.
The meningococcal C (conjugate) vaccine is the one to have been on the Brazilian vaccination calendar for the longest time, since 2010, because serotype C is the most prevalent in the country. Despite this, the coverage of this immunization for children under 1 year has been falling. According to the SES, in 2017, the rate was 91.32%; in, 2018, 87.86%; in 2019, it reduced to 76.81%; in 2020, it fell to 57.12%; and in 2021, it was 54.49%. In 2022, as of September 22, the rate entered into the system was at 36.38%.
Vaccination coverage for the year 2022 must still be updated in the database because the numbers are subject to delays in the completion of the forms by the municipalities, it was explained.
The meningococcal C vaccination schedule provides two doses, at 3 and 5 months of age, and a booster, which should preferably be done at 12 months of age. The SES also recalls that in July this year, the Ministry of Health expanded the supply of meningococcal C vaccine for health workers and children up to 10 years old. Children between 5 and 10 years who have never received the immunization should take only one dose and health workers should receive a booster dose, even if they already have a complete vaccination scheme.
The meningococcal ACWY vaccine is scheduled for children and adolescents from 11 to 14 years old, and immunization in this age group is important to contain circulation since adolescents and young adults are the main liable for the disease's transmission nationwide.
About 10% of adolescents and adults are asymptomatic carriers of meningococcus in the throat and can transmit the bacteria even without getting sick, through respiratory secretions, such as saliva droplets.
The Penta vaccine, on the other hand, protects against the Haemophilus influenzae B bacterium, which also causes bacterial meningitis, besides preventing diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and hepatitis B. The immunization should be applied to children at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, but coverage is also falling: 93.49% in 2017; 88.16% in 2018; 55.15% in 2019; 55.77% in 2020; and 54.27% in 2021. This year, as of September 22, the rate is at 34.67%.
The SES said that despite the National Vaccination Campaign against Poliomyelitis and Multivaccination ending Sept. 30, all vaccines for the immunization of children and adolescents are still available at the health posts, including the three immunizers against meningitis.
The chairman of the Infectious Diseases Department of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, Marco Aurélio Sáfadi, pointed out that the vaccine is the main prevention tool against meningococcal disease.
"The manifestation of the disease is a flare of symptoms, which is characterized by fever, headache, and vomiting. This is the classic triad of meningitis. In addition, since there is an infection in the meninges, there is neck stiffness and other signs," he added. "They are always severe cases, which lead to prostration, numbness, a drop in general condition, often with spots on the body and more serious manifestations. As a rule, this is the picture of bacterial meningitis."
Sáfadi also pointed out that babies with the disease will present moaning, irritability, and bulging of the brain, besides fever, vomiting, and headache.
The physician also explained that when a case of meningococcal disease is diagnosed, it is necessary to screen contacts for antibiotic medication, since most carriers of the bacteria do not show symptoms of the disease, but can transmit it.
(Source: Agencia Brasil)
Alert After UK Travellers Bring Back Disease Which Can Kill One In 10
Officials at the Foreign Office have highlighted symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia after it was detected in people returning from Saudi Arabia
16:50, 24 Jun 2024Updated 17:05, 24 Jun 2024
A new alert has been issued after more cases of a potentially lethal disease were detected in people returning to the UK. The Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro website said that 14 cases of the lethal meningococcal disease have been detected in people returning from Saudi Arabia - including some in the UK.
The website said that as of 21 June 2024, a total of 14 cases of invasive meningococcal disease have been reported in the United States with five cases, France, four, the United Kingdom, three, Norway (1), and the Netherlands (1) in travellers or contacts of travellers returning from Umrah pilgrimage.
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a major cause of meningitis and septicaemia. The disease often has a rapid progression, around one in ten dying. The bacteria invade the body and cause meningococcal infection, which is an acute severe bacterial infection.
Meningitis frequently presents with the triad of fever, headache and neck stiffness, and is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as altered mental status, nausea, vomiting and photophobia. Meningococcal sepsis (meningococcemia) is characterised by fever and a petechial or purpuric rash, often accompanied by septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure.
Meningococcemia has a case-fatality ratio of up to 40%. Sequelae such as neurological and hearing impairment or amputation occur in up to 20% of survivors, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
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It has been reported that the Hajj was hit by more than 900 deaths caused by serious heatwaves. For people going to the Hajj, the Ministry of Health also recommended that pilgims:
• wear facemasks when in crowded places
• wash hands frequently, with soap and water or a disinfectant, especially after coughing, sneezing, using toilets, before handling and consuming food, and after touching animals
• use disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing and dispose of used tissues in wastebaskets
• avoid contact with those who appear ill and avoid sharing personal belongings
• avoid contact with camels in farms, markets, or barns
• avoid drinking unpasteurised milk or eating raw meat or animal products that have not been thoroughly cooked, as well as applying measures to avoid insect bites during the day and night.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia do not permit travellers arriving into the country for Hajj to bring food, unless it was in properly canned or sealed containers. Travellers arriving in areas in the vicinity of Hajj locations for pilgrimage, seasonal work or other purposes were recommended to observe the following:
• wash hands before and after eating and after going to the toilet
• clean and wash fresh vegetables and fruit
• cook food thoroughly and store at safe temperature
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