A case of meningitis was reported to ARS Normandy on Tuesday December 17 by the Rouen University Hospital.
A 7-year-old girl, attending school in Le Havre, died this Thursday due to illness.
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Childhood illnesses
A 7-year-old girl died this Thursday, December 19, after contracting meningitis. Rescue teams were unable to save her. This case of invasive meningococcal infection (IIM) was reported to ARS Normandie on Tuesday by the Rouen University Hospital. The child was educated at the Jean-Baptiste Massillon primary school in Le Havre.
Avoid new cases of contagion
As soon as the diagnosis was made and the report received, ARS Normandy, in collaboration with National Education, immediately drew up a list of contact subjects, to act quickly and prevent a new risk of contagion. For 15 students, two teachers and 49 people from family and friends, antibiotics were recommended. The latter is proposed as quickly as possible, and aims to eradicate the carriage of the virulent strain and prevent its spread, while reducing the risk of secondary cases.
Meningitis (new window) is a bacterial disease which results in high fever, headaches, nausea and vomiting as well as a stiff neck, according to the ARS. Transmission is airborne during coughing. Contagiousness is low and concerns close contacts, in the community and in the family.
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ARS Normandy continues to monitor this situation “with the greatest attention in conjunction with National Education in order to quickly take measures adapted to the context and to regularly inform parents”. A medical-psychological emergency unit has been set up to best support students, educational staff and families.
