Three students from Grenoble were hospitalized between September 16 and 20, 2024 following bacterial meningitis. Should we be worried?
Three cases of invasive meningococcal infections (IIM) were reported to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Health Agency. In a press release dated September 30, the ARS specified that between September 16 and 20, three students from Grenoble (Isère) had to be hospitalized for meningitis. Their state of health is reassuring and no new cases have been reported since September 20.
The transmission of IIMs occurs through direct, close and prolonged contact with a sick person or a healthy carrier. Thus, the relatives of the three students received preventive antibiotic treatment. And a vaccination campaign will be organized from mid-October by the ARS Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the Grenoble student health service.
Responsible for meningitis or septicemia
Meningococci are bacteria that can cause serious illnesses, meningitis or septicemia. Both can cause the death of the patient or cause serious after-effects. Meningitis occurs when meningococcus infects the fluid and membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal septicemia is a generalized infection of the blood and organs caused by the spread of meningococcus in the body.
The symptoms of IMM are fever, severe headache often accompanied by vomiting. A high, poorly tolerated fever and/or the appearance of several rapidly appearing red or purplish spots (purpura fulminans) should lead you to contact emergency services immediately. Purpura fulminans, a very severe septic shock associated with skin necrosis, is the most serious form of meningococcal septicemia.
Other symptoms are sometimes associated such as impaired consciousness, pale or even gray facial color, diarrhea, intolerance to light or noise, stiff neck, significant aches, significant drowsiness, paralysis. ocular and convulsions.
Vaccination, the most effective tool to prevent IMI
IIM mainly affects young children and young adults (14 to 24 years old). There is an increase in cases with a strong increase in groups W (29% of cases) and Y (24% of cases). Serogroup B remained at the top of infections with 44% of reported cases.
“Vaccination against meningococcus B is the most effective measure to prevent the occurrence of new cases and complications,” underlines the ARS Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It is particularly recommended when several cases occur in the same geographical area, as is the case in Grenoble. Vaccination then aims to eliminate the risk of reintroduction of the bacteria and the appearance of new cases in the community in the long term.
Compulsory vaccination for whom?
Vaccination against serogroup C is compulsory for all infants since 1is January 2018. And recommended for children and young adults. Vaccination against group B is recommended for infants and vaccination against serogroups A, C, W, Y is recommended for children aged 11 to 14 years. At 1is January 2025, vaccination against groups A, B, W and Y also becomes compulsory for all infants.
In France, serious meningococcal infections affect around 600 people per year, two thirds of them meningitis and one third septicemia.
