Health Minister El Hussein el-Ouardi Casablanca – Raja Bataoui Five children have been infected with meningitis in Chefchaouen, north west Morocco. Two girls and three boys aged between 4 and 9 have contracted the illness, but the Ministry of Health has reassured local residents.
Mohamed el-Elwy, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, told Arabstoday that the situation only starts to be concerning when there are 15 cases or more in the same area. he added that the children living in Beni Mansour will be vaccinated to avoid a the spread of the infection. El-Elwy added that the infected children were responding well to the treatment received in hospital and that they were on their way to a speedy recovery. He concluded that the area records between 30 and 40 cases of meningitis every year, which is mainly due to the lack of hygien and drinking soiled water.
Abdullah al-Goot , the Chief of the Moroccan Centre for human rights in Chefchaouen, is more worried. He said to Arabstoday:
"The infection is still in the region and the children are still at risk. I urge the responsible authorities to take action against the spread of the disease."
Al-Goot wants the government to raise awareness about the symptoms and the means of contamination of the disease.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes protecting the brain and the spinal cord. The symptoms are: sudden fever, severe headaches, stiffness in the neck and back, nausea and vomiting and a rash. It evolves into delirium, weakness, coma and ultimately death if it is left untreated.
The illness is diagnosed with a blood test and a lumbar puncture. The disease can be caught via droplets of respiratory secretions or fecal contamination.