A 16 year old young man residing in the Lower Rhine had to be hospitalized after an invasive meningococcal group B infection (IIMB). This is the sixth case linked to this strain, “rare and hitherto unknown in the Great East “Alerts the local Regional Health Agency (ARS) in a press release this Monday, January 9.
“The epidemiological investigations have made it possible to identify and treat as a preventive measure with antibiotics people who have been in contact at risk with this sixth case”, also writes the ARS, speaking of a epidemic in the agglomeration Strasbourg. A death has even already been recorded because of this bacterium reported since mid-November.
At the time, people attending nighttime festive places in the city center of the Alsatian capital (discotheques and bars) were encouraged to watch for symptoms suggestive of the disease. Like severe headaches, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, body aches and fatigue. But also fever, red or purplish subcutaneous spots on the body, very significant pain in the stomach and nausea and, or, vomiting… Knowing that a person “can be a healthy carrier of meningococcal B , without having the symptoms, but can continue to transmit it to other people, ”explains the ARS.
Vaccination campaign
Since the beginning of December, a vaccination campaign has been launched. As of January 5, 2023, 151 people received a first dose against meningococcal B via the international vaccination center of the new civil hospital in Strasbourg. The ARS du Grand-Est and Public Health France therefore renew their call for vaccination “to the public frequenting the nocturnal festive places of the city center of Strasbourg and to the professionals of these places”. It is possible to make an appointment via the platform Doctolib, at the international vaccination center at the civil hospital, at the doctor’s office to have the vaccine prescribed or directly at the pharmacy. The vaccine is covered.