Al-Shamali visits some of the patients
Minister ‘calms’
meningitis fears
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: The head of medical services
department at the Al-Farwaniya Hospital Dr Abdullah Haidar has denied rumors
which suggested the hospital was closed following an alleged outbreak of
meningitis infections in the hospital.
He added 10,000 people including staff members have been vaccinated against the disease. So far, three suspicious cases were admitted into local hospitals and are awaiting test results for meningitis diagnosis.
Minister of Health Mustafa Al-Shamali paid a visit to the hospital Thursday afternoon accompanied by a number of senior ministry officials to preempt rumors that have been spread through websites.
“Five thousand hospital employees, laborers, administrative staff members, hospital visitors, and those who have shown an interest have been vaccinated against the disease. In addition, 2,300 cleaners have also been given vaccination shots,” said Dr Haidar.
He added meningitis, like any other infectious disease, has its own season during which infection rates increase and it is currently the season for the disease.
“The situation is calm and there are no fears of any kind as the cases are only individual and happen all over the world,” explained Dr Haidar.
When the Arab Times contacted several hospitals around the country, it discovered only three cases have been reported however the test results are still awaited to find out if the cases were indeed meningitis infections.
The manager of Al-Amiri hospital Dr Afrah Al-Saraf said two suspicious cases were admitted at her hospital — one was admitted four days ago suffering from viral inflammation, and the second case was admitted two days ago with a bacterial inflammation. She added that specimens of the two cases’ spinal liquid were taken for screening and the results are expected to be announced over the next two days.
“The two patients have been given necessary medications and ‘quarantined’ inside the intensive care unit,” Al-Saraf added.
At the Al-Adan Hospital, a 42-year-old Kuwaiti woman was admitted with symptoms indicating a suspicious meningitis infection.
She is in the intensive care unit and under medication.
Agencies add:
Al-Shimali reassured citizens and expatriates about the health situation in the country after detecting meningitis cases.
“Only six infection cases have been registered so far, including four in 2011 and two in 2012,” the minister told reporters during the inspection visit.
“This number is far below the international prevalence rate of the disease, which starts from ten infection cases for each 100,000 people,” he pointed out.
“The six patients are receiving medication at four hospitals of the Ministry of Health, namely Mubarak Al-Kabir, Al-Sabah, the Amiri, and Al-Farwaniya hospitals,” Al-Shimali said, affirming that the health situation is under control.
All cases the disease involve foreigners coming into the country, which prompted the health authorities to vaccinate up to 10,000 persons so far.
“There are sufficient quantities of the relevant vaccines in Kuwait, so there is no need to panic,” Al-Shimali added.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Dr. Khalid Al-Sahlawi said the conditions of all the six patients are stable now.
“The patients are getting better and respond quit well to the medication; they are about to recover completely,” he affirmed.
Dr. Al-Sahlawi highlighted the importance of following the precautionary measures against the infection, such as keeping away from coughing people or crowded areas. http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/178088/reftab/96/Default.aspx
He added 10,000 people including staff members have been vaccinated against the disease. So far, three suspicious cases were admitted into local hospitals and are awaiting test results for meningitis diagnosis.
Minister of Health Mustafa Al-Shamali paid a visit to the hospital Thursday afternoon accompanied by a number of senior ministry officials to preempt rumors that have been spread through websites.
“Five thousand hospital employees, laborers, administrative staff members, hospital visitors, and those who have shown an interest have been vaccinated against the disease. In addition, 2,300 cleaners have also been given vaccination shots,” said Dr Haidar.
He added meningitis, like any other infectious disease, has its own season during which infection rates increase and it is currently the season for the disease.
“The situation is calm and there are no fears of any kind as the cases are only individual and happen all over the world,” explained Dr Haidar.
When the Arab Times contacted several hospitals around the country, it discovered only three cases have been reported however the test results are still awaited to find out if the cases were indeed meningitis infections.
The manager of Al-Amiri hospital Dr Afrah Al-Saraf said two suspicious cases were admitted at her hospital — one was admitted four days ago suffering from viral inflammation, and the second case was admitted two days ago with a bacterial inflammation. She added that specimens of the two cases’ spinal liquid were taken for screening and the results are expected to be announced over the next two days.
“The two patients have been given necessary medications and ‘quarantined’ inside the intensive care unit,” Al-Saraf added.
At the Al-Adan Hospital, a 42-year-old Kuwaiti woman was admitted with symptoms indicating a suspicious meningitis infection.
She is in the intensive care unit and under medication.
Agencies add:
Al-Shimali reassured citizens and expatriates about the health situation in the country after detecting meningitis cases.
“Only six infection cases have been registered so far, including four in 2011 and two in 2012,” the minister told reporters during the inspection visit.
“This number is far below the international prevalence rate of the disease, which starts from ten infection cases for each 100,000 people,” he pointed out.
“The six patients are receiving medication at four hospitals of the Ministry of Health, namely Mubarak Al-Kabir, Al-Sabah, the Amiri, and Al-Farwaniya hospitals,” Al-Shimali said, affirming that the health situation is under control.
All cases the disease involve foreigners coming into the country, which prompted the health authorities to vaccinate up to 10,000 persons so far.
“There are sufficient quantities of the relevant vaccines in Kuwait, so there is no need to panic,” Al-Shimali added.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Dr. Khalid Al-Sahlawi said the conditions of all the six patients are stable now.
“The patients are getting better and respond quit well to the medication; they are about to recover completely,” he affirmed.
Dr. Al-Sahlawi highlighted the importance of following the precautionary measures against the infection, such as keeping away from coughing people or crowded areas. http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/178088/reftab/96/Default.aspx
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