A total of 12 cases have been reported in 2024 – Three of them concern students of University Institutions of Patras
In A staff of the National Health Organization (EODY) will move to Patrason Thursday (7/3), after the new case of the disease in a student, which is the third consecutive case in the university community.
According to EODY in 2023 the incidence of meningococcal disease increased to pre-pandemic levels and within it year 2024 a total of 12 cases have been reported from all over the country.
Particularly, 3 of the above cases concern students of University Institutions of the city of Patras and were declared to EODY during the time period 11/1/2024 until today. According to the international guidelines, the detection of 3 cases of meningococcal disease of the same serogroup in an Organization (School, University Institution, etc.) during a period of three months constitutes an outbreak of cases and it is recommended to extend the administration of chemoprophylaxis to a wider cycle of close contacts and targeted vaccination of close contacts of cases.
Following relevant information and instructions from the Deputy Minister of Health Mrs. Irini Agapidakis, on Thursday 7/3 in the morning she will carry out an on-site intervention with the transition of echelon and the participation of the Mobile Health Teams (MOHY) of the EODY in Patra. The ladder will make updates of students studying in the departments where the outbreaks occurred and will administer chemoprophylaxis to the close and wider contacts of the cases, while targeted vaccination of close contacts is recommended, according to the opinion of the National Immunization Committee (NEC).
As the EODY points out in a relevant update, citizens and especially young people who have clinical symptoms compatible with the disease (Fever and rash) should immediately contact a doctor. Doctors who suspect meningitis should immediately administer treatment and refer to a hospital.
The EODY update in detail
The National Public Health Organization (EODY) as part of its responsibilities monitors meningococcal disease as a mandatory notifiable disease and informs the Ministry of Health accordingly. During the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of the disease reached its lowest levels, a fact attributed to the implementation of restrictive measures (social distancing, wearing masks, closing schools). However, in the year 2023 the incidence of meningococcal disease increased reaching propandemic levels and within the year 2024 a total of 12 cases from all over the country have been reported to EODY.
In particular, three (3) of the above cases concern students of University Institutions of the city of Patras and were reported to EODY during the time period 11/1/2024 until today. According to the international guidelines, the detection of 3 cases of meningococcal disease of the same serogroup in an Organization (School, University Institution, etc.) during a period of three months constitutes an outbreak of cases and it is recommended to extend the administration of chemoprophylaxis to a wider cycle of close contacts and targeted vaccination of close contacts of cases.
Since the appearance of the first case, EODY has been in close cooperation with the 6th Health Region, the Directorate of Public Health of the Region of Western Greece and the competent authorities of the university institutions. He sent instructions regarding the investigation of the contacts of the cases and the immediate administration of chemoprophylaxis. In addition, following relevant information and instructions from the Deputy Minister of Health Ms. Irini Agapidakis, tomorrow (Thursday, March 7, 2024) morning she will carry out an on-site intervention with the transition of the level and the participation of the Mobile Health Teams (MOHY) of the EODY in Patra. The team will inform the students studying in the departments where the cases appeared and will administer chemoprophylaxis to the close and wider contacts of the cases, while targeted vaccination of close contacts is recommended, according to the opinion of the National Immunization Committee (NEC).
EODY particularly emphasizes the great importance of early detection and treatment of cases of meningococcal disease.
Citizens and especially young people who have clinical symptoms compatible with the disease (Fever and rash) should immediately contact a doctor. Physicians who suspect meningitis should immediately administer treatment and refer to a hospital.
More information on meningococcal disease is posted on the EODY website.
