In 2022, Public Health France sounded the alarm by identifying two sources of meningococcal meningitis contamination: one in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (Chambéry and Lyon), the other in Strasbourg. In general, as Anne-Sophie Barret, epidemiologist at Public Health France in charge of national surveillance of invasive meningococcal infections, details, an upsurge was detected at the end of 2022 with a significant number of cases. at the scale of the territory.
This level was maintained in the first quarter of 2023. serious”, warns the specialist. Epidemiological surveillance is continuing, based on the cases which are escalated on a mandatory basis to the regional health agencies. As of this writing (May 2023), there is no specific household.
Beyond the very serious symptoms requiring urgent care, meningococcal meningitis can cause serious sequelae. Catherine Weil-Olivier, honorary professor of pediatrics at the University of Paris-Cité has shown, in a scientific study, that a quarter of patients suffered from sequelae: neurological problems, motor deficit, deafness, even amputation of the lower limbs and/or higher when they are necrotic.
The highest number of cases of invasive meningococcal infections are due to four serogroups called B, Y W and C. These are the same bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis), but which do not express the same antigens (proteins) on its surface. The immune response is therefore not the same according to these groups, which is why different vaccines exist. Vaccination against serogroup C is mandatory in the infant’s immunization schedule. The one against the B is recommended. A tetravalent vaccine exists and could soon be studied by the French National Authority for Health within the framework of discussions on the strategy of vaccination against meningococci.
Anne-Sophie Barret recalls the symptoms that should alert and lead to an emergency medical consultation: a very high fever and sudden onset, vomiting, headaches and stiffness in the neck. Other very severe clinical forms can occur such as purpura fulminans characterized by the appearance and extension of dark red/purple spots on the skin.
If this disease is very serious, remember that it is fortunately rare and that preventive measures exist. The first is vaccination, which protects infants and young children. When a case is declared, people who have been in contact with the patient will be treated with antibiotics to prevent the risk. If an outbreak is detected, preventive vaccination campaigns can be carried out under the aegis of the public authorities, which is what happened in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Strasbourg where people at risk have been vaccinated.
