Dong Nai has a case of meningococcal infection

meningococcal - Photo 1.

Meningococcal meningitis can be prevented by vaccine, so people should also pay attention to getting fully vaccinated to protect their lives and those of their loved ones - Photo: MAI LIEN

On April 23, the Dong Nai Province Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced that it had just recorded the first case of meningococcal meningitis in 2025.

The patient is Ms. NTL, (37 years old, residing in Ho Nai 3 commune, Trang Bom district), currently a worker at a wood workshop in Tan Hoa ward, Bien Hoa city.

Previously, on April 16, Ms. NTL had a high fever of 39 degrees Celsius, headache, and nausea, so she was taken to Thong Nhat General Hospital (Dong Nai) for emergency treatment.

Here the patient was diagnosed with suspected meningococcal sepsis and samples were taken for testing.

Three days later, test results from the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City showed that the patient was positive for meningococcal bacteria.

Through epidemiological investigation, it was determined that the patient had not been vaccinated against meningococcal disease, and had not been in contact with anyone with similar symptoms or with a person with meningococcal disease.

The patient lives with her husband and two children. So far, family members, 17 neighbors who had close contact with the patient, and 6 workers at the same wood workshop with the patient have not recorded any unusual symptoms.

Ho Nai 3 Commune Health Station has made a list of cases in close contact with the patient to guide treatment with prophylactic antibiotics.

In addition, the Dong Nai health sector and the Ho Nai 3 commune government have disseminated measures to prevent and control meningococcal meningitis to people living and working in the area where the patient lives.

In particular, people should be proactive in getting vaccinated against meningococcal disease. In case of any unusual symptoms, they should go to a medical facility for immediate examination.

Limit crowded gatherings, do not come into contact with sick people or people suspected of having the disease, practice good personal hygiene, clean your living space...

Meningococcal disease progresses rapidly and can be fatal within 24 hours of onset.

Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the dangerous group B bacteria, Nesseiria meningitisis, which resides in the throat and is transmitted through droplets. It often occurs in densely populated areas such as dormitories, schools, markets, etc.

The most susceptible group is young people, those who have not been immunized or vaccinated. The disease often progresses rapidly, causing meningitis, sepsis, and more seriously, multiple organ failure and possibly death.

Meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria is divided into many types. Simple type is similar to other types of meningitis. It progresses and is cured after about 2 weeks of treatment.

For acute and hyperacute forms, the disease progresses rapidly within a few days with symptoms of sudden high fever, headache, vomiting, impaired consciousness and rapid coma, with the appearance of hemorrhagic necrosis on the skin in the context of acute adrenal insufficiency syndrome, shock and death.

Meningococcal meningitis has a mortality rate of 10 - 20%. Severe cases of sepsis, adrenal insufficiency, acute and fulminant disease can lead to death within 24 hours. Therefore, when detected, timely treatment and isolation are required.

Meningococcal meningitis is not a common case, only occurs in sporadic outbreaks, or is imported from other places. However, the disease progresses rapidly and the mortality rate is high, so patients suspected of meningococcal infection need to go to medical facilities early for timely diagnosis and treatment.