Rumors about meningitis in Almaty’s pool were commented in the Ministry of Health
Слухи о менингите в алматинских бассейнах прокомментировали в Минздраве 12.06.2017

According to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the incidence of meningococcal infection in the country decreases every year. If in 2015, 424 cases were registered, in 2016, the incidence was reduced to 120 cases (a decrease of 3.6 times). Over five months of this year, no cases of meningococcal infection have been recorded in Almaty.

"During the five months of 2017, 15 cases of meningococcal infection were registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan, compared with the same period last year, the incidence was reduced 3.8 times. Including in Almaty in 2016 compared with the previous year, the incidence was reduced fourfold and amounted to 16 of cases (in 2015 - 66 cases), and for five months of this year, cases of meningococcal infection are not registered, "the department commented.

It is also reported that in 2015, there were 390 cases of serous meningitis (caused by enterovirus), 444 cases in 2016 and 30 cases in five months in 2017. Compared with the same period last year, the incidence is reduced by 40 percent. Including Almaty in 2015 - 31 cases, in 2016 - 104 cases and for five months in 2017 - eight cases, which is 4.6 times less compared to the same period last year.

As doctors explained, meningitis is a disease characterized by the defeat of the cerebral mucosa and which is caused by various bacteria (meningococcal infection, purulent meningitis) and viruses (serous meningitis caused by enteroviruses). Meningococcal infection is transmitted by airborne droplets (with coughing, sneezing, talking). Transmission of enterovirus infections occurs when fecal-oral (through water, food, close contact with a patient or carrier) and air-drip ways (sneezing, coughing) are realized. The disease is seasonal in nature, outbreaks occur in the spring-summer and summer-autumn periods. Infection occurs through water, food, stool, through the smallest droplets of saliva and sputum when coughing and sneezing. Very often, infection occurs when swimming in open water.

It is noted that enteroviruses are stable in the external environment: they tolerate low temperatures (they persist for several weeks in a refrigerator), in tap water they survive up to 18 days, in river water - about a month, in treated sewage - up to two months, and also a long time are stored on household items, food (milk, fruits, vegetables). The virus quickly dies when heated, boiled, when exposed to chlorine-containing drugs, ultraviolet irradiation.

"Under the rules of cleaning, disinfection, distribution of water, swimming in pools is not a danger to humans," the ministry said.

The main measures to prevent meningococcal infection:

- when the first symptoms of the disease appear, you need to seek medical help to avoid serious consequences, do not self-medicate;

- it is necessary to refrain from visiting places of mass congestion;

- To not get sick and not to infect others, it is necessary to treat acute and chronic diseases of the nasopharynx in a timely manner - pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis;

- a full and balanced diet, enriched with vitamins and trace elements, exercise, hardening of the body contribute to increased immunity.

Measures to prevent enterovirus infection are the same as in any acute intestinal infection:

- use only boiled or bottled water for drinking;

- Wash hands with soap before each meal and after each visit to the toilet, strictly observe the rules of personal and public hygiene;

- before consuming fruits and vegetables, they must be thoroughly washed with a brush and then rinsed with boiling water;

- to swim only in officially authorized places, while bathing try not to swallow water;

- do not purchase products from individuals and in places undefined for trade;

- Tempering the body helps to increase its protective functions against viruses and bacteria.

https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/sluhi-meningite-almatinskih-basseynah-prokommentirovali-320087...