Kita child from Emmerich dies of meningococcal infection - possibly even more infected

Indication of meningococcal infection: child died in North Rhine-Westphalia

In Emmerich, North Rhine-Westphalia, a small child died after an infectious disease on Monday. According to authorities, the pathogen is not yet clearly diagnosed, but it was probably a meningococcal infection. There is a possibility that other people have been infected with the dangerous bacteria.

Child of a day care center died from an infectious disease

At the weekend, a child of the Noah's Ark Day nursery in Emmerich am Rhein (North Rhine-Westphalia) is severely and acutely ill with an infectious disease. "Even if the pathogen has not yet been clearly diagnosed, there is evidence of a possible meningococcal disease," reported the district administration Kleve on Monday in a statement. According to media reports, the child died in a Klever hospital on Monday afternoon.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, a small child has probably died from a meningococcal infection. Other people may have become infected. (Image: k_rahn / fotolia.com)

Other people could have become infected

According to the district administration, the child visited the daycare until last Friday and may have been infectious to other children there.

According to the information, the health department of the district administration yesterday had to contact all parents and staff of the day care center.

All parents are advised to visit a pediatrician or family doctor and have their children treated as a precautionary measure against a possible meningococcal infection.

"This treatment consists of the administration of the antibiotic rifampicin in a dosage of 10 mg rifampicin per kilogram of body weight, twice a day for two days," writes the agency.

Bacteria are usually transmitted by droplet infection

Meningococci are bacteria that settle in the nasopharyngeal space of humans, where they are detectable in about ten percent of the population without any signs of clinical symptoms, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

They are most commonly transmitted by droplet infection. The bacteria are released into the air when speaking, coughing or sneezing in small droplets from the nasopharynx and can be inhaled from a short distance.

Among other things, the pathogens can lead to bacterial meningitis (meningitis). This is rare but dangerous.

Immediate treatment needed

According to the district administration Kleve, the start of treatment is crucial for the outcome of a possible illness. Therefore, meningococcal disease requires immediate treatment with antibiotics.

Persons who were in close contact with a patient in the ten days before the onset of the disease are at risk of infection.

Therefore, the precautionary antibiotic therapy for children and staff of the affected daycare is absolutely necessary.

"Infectiousness is no longer expected 24 hours after the start of antibiotic therapy," say the experts.

Disease often starts with cold symptoms

Meningococcal meningitis is often preceded by acute cold symptoms, the agency said.

Without transition, it can suddenly lead to headaches, which quickly become stronger.

In most cases there is a high fever, nausea and vomiting, and neck stiffness. The latter is a very typical symptom.

The patient also reacts with photosensitivity, in addition, the consciousness of the affected person can cloud, he is no longer responsive.

"Red-violet skin patches signal a severe course in which the pathogens spread through the bloodstream," warns the district administration.

The symptoms do not necessarily have to be present at the same time, but can develop within hours or days. Such infections can be fatal. For this reason as well, the fastest possible start of treatment is so important. (Ad)