2023-05-29 18:22:51
Posted
In LuxembourgBacterial diseases on the rise, two children died
LUXEMBOURG – Recent intense viral outbreaks have brought a risk of invasive bacterial infection. Two ten-year-old children died this winter and the health system is closely monitoring the situation.
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- Nicolas Chauty
The alert systems set up at European level had noted the trend, which was also confirmed in Luxembourg: bacterial diseases have experienced a significant upsurge in recent months and particularly during the winter. “The situation is not out of control, but it is necessary to monitor”, indicates Doctor Anne Vergison, head of the health inspection division.
In fact, recent intense viral epidemics have led to a risk of invasive bacterial infection in society and especially among the most vulnerable. These bacteria which live naturally in our nose and our throat “take advantage” of the cells destroyed by the virus to introduce themselves, in particular into the blood, and go to graft themselves into the body. All this combined with declining immunity. We are talking here about group A streptococcal infections, such as scarlet fever, or invasive meningococcal infections, often meningitis.
“Unusual things in recent months”
“We have seen several challenging infections, unusual things in recent months,” says Anne Vergison. And for good reason, Luxembourg has recorded, according to information from The essential, two deaths of children “about ten years old” during the winter. One affected by streptococcus, the other by pneumococcus, in this case an infection mixed with flu.
A few cases of scarlet fever have been identified “within childcare facilities”. Luxembourg has also, for the first time this year, made declarations of group A streptococcal contamination compulsory. On the French side, the curves for the 2022/2023 season have reached record levels for at least six years.
“Severity very difficult to diagnose”
“We are not expecting a higher increase, and we are better prepared to follow this development, especially since these epidemics, as we know, can put our hospitals under stress”, adds the head of division of the sanitary inspection. Regarding pneumococcus, a vaccine is available, effective against “thirteen very offensive variants” among the hundred that exist.
Overall, concerning children, parents are encouraged to “trust each other” and consult as soon as they notice an unusual state of health. “The severity of these infections is very difficult to diagnose, because they can evolve catastrophically very quickly, details Anne Vergison. It is better to consult the doctor quickly, if only to be reassured”.
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