Meningitis warning as flu deaths rise
18.01.11
MEDICAL professionals have been issued with a renewed warning as the number of deaths from flu doubles.
The outbreak has caused a surge in potentially fatal secondary infections, including meningitis.
There were 150 cases of meningococcal disease in December 2010. This number of cases is higher than in 2009 (88) but is similar to the number of cases seen in 2008 (192) and 2007 (141).
Investigations are underway to identify whether co-infection with influenza may be contributing to these observed increases.
The Chief Medical Officer has now written a letter to all GPs and NHS trusts warning them about a surge in potentially lethal secondary infections that have "piggy-backed" onto the flu virus.
Concerns are focused specifically on invasive meningococcal, pneumococcal, group A streptococcal, Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus infection.
Flu deaths have steadily increased week on week but due to delays in reporting to officials over the Christmas and New Year break the number verified as linked to flu has jumped from 50 to 112 in the last week.
The Health Protection found bacterial infections had increased by between 13 per cent and 36 per cent in December compared to the previous year.
The bacteria include invasive Group A streptococcal infection, which normally causes sore throats but can be fatal if it gets into the bloodstream and meningococcal disease which causes meningitis and septicaemia.
Prof Dame Sally Davies, the interim chief medical officer, says all doctors should be vigilant for the infections, start antiviral treatment as soon as possible and ensure appropriate antibiotics are used.
Read more in the Health Protection Agency's press release [external link]
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