Foreign Office issues warning over spread of bacterial infection in the UK
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a warning after more than 14 cases of meningococcal disease were detected in those who were returning from Saudi Arabia after undertaking the Umrah pilgrimage. The Travel Health Pro website which is supported by the FCO listed down these cases and revealed that as of June 21, a total of 5 such cases were reported from the US, four in France, three in the UK and one each in Norway and in the Netherlands. The situation is being monitored by the health authorities in the UK. Invasive meningococcal disease is a significant cause of meningitis and septicaemia. It is a bacterial infection which results in the death in one among ten cases.
Meningitis:
There are three main symptoms including fever, headache and neck stiffness. It is also accompanied by altered mental status, nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity.
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This is a bit more serious with fatality rate going up to 40%. It is characterized by fever, petechial rash which often comes with septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation leading to organ failures. The survivors may suffer from neurological disorders, hearing impairments and amputation in 20% of the cases.
Warning by the Ministry of Health:
The Ministry has issued a warning and also offered some guidelines for the general population. These include wearing of masks, washing hands with a soap before consuming any food, ensuring that food is thoroughly cooked and also using
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