No Outbreak Of Meningitis In Malta, Health Authorities Say
There is no outbreak or epidemic of meningitis present in Malta, spokespersons from Mater Dei and the Ministry of Health have clarified. This statement was made after the news that three children contracted bacterial infections within the month of January alone.
The Medical Director at Mater Dei, Walter Busuttil, has clarified that the three recent cases have been totally unrelated to each other. Two of the children affected were diagnosed with meningitis; a four-year-old boy sadly passed away from the infection, but a new-born girl is currently on the road to recovery. The third case that was being reported was not actually a case of meningitis, but septicaemia triggered by a Neisseria infection.
Although all three cases presented themselves within the same month, the spokespersons have informed the public that they are unrelated, as all three cases took place amongst children of different age groups.
Despite this, Charmaine Gauci (Superintendent of Public Health) has urged the public to wash their hands regularly and to take all necessary vaccinations. During spells of colder weather, bugs and infections tend to spread faster as crowds gather in closer quarters to avoid the cold and the rain. Therefore it is important to take all the necessary steps to prevent the spreading of illness of any kind, specifically around young children.
The hospital has assured the public that they are taking the necessary steps to take ensure the health of the children currently in their care, and that families who have come into close contact with the infection are being checked up on.