Cases of invasive meningococcal disease spike in Manitoba, with 1 death
CBC
Manitoba is seeing an increase in a rare and potentially fatal bacterial infection, with one death already attributed to it.
Since December there have been 19 reported cases of invasive meningococcal disease, in both adults and children, Manitoba Health says.
Typically, about six cases are reported annually.
Of the 19 cases, all but one are are the W strain (or serogroup), which causes meningitis that can lead to severe brain and spinal cord inflammation.
"It's quite a serious condition and it's a fairly rapid onset," said Dr. Carol Kurbis, a provincial medical officer of health in communicable disease control.
Eight of the 19 cases cases were identified within a month-long period, starting in December and ending in January, but the reason for the surge is still a mystery, Kurbis said.
"We don't really know. There's a number of countries that are experiencing a rise in meningococcal disease," she told CBC Information Radio host Marcy Markusa.
"The U.S. is actually seeing a rise in serogroup Y. In Manitoba, 18 of those cases are serogroup W."
Meningococcal bacteria can be dormant in the back of a person's throat for years. One in 10 people might carry it and most don't get sick, Kurbis said.
"But every now and then, it can cause invasive disease, and we're seeing a little bit more of that in Manitoba this year."
Many people with the bacteria will not become sick but will spread the disease to others. For those who become sick, symptoms can develop within two to 10 days of exposure, Manitoba Health says.
In the early stages, meningococcal disease can have symptoms similar to other respiratory viral infections, such as COVID-19 or influenza. It can then progress very rapidly, and anyone who develops symptoms should seek urgent medical care immediately, the public health authority says.
The symptoms include:
As the disease progresses it can also cause shock (low blood pressure) and damage to many organs in the body, which can lead to death.
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