Outbreak Investigation of Meningococcal Meningitis in The prison, Chiang Mai, November 2010

Abstract

               An outbreak investigation of Meningococcal Meningitis in a prison in Chiang Mai from 1 November to 1 December 2010 was conducted. The objectives are to confirm the diagnosis and the epidemic of the disease, to study the epidemic process and to find the cause and the preventive measure of the disease. The study found two male patients were found with high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, stiff neck and stiff back. Both were successfully treated with Ceftriaxone. Risk factors of the epidemic were close-contact with asymptomatic infection, the overcrowded environment in the prison, and the direct and indirect contacts with the pathogen such as coughing and mutual using of glasses, plates and spoons. The diagnosis in the first patient was confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid exam which found Gram Negative Diplococci and was confirmed by a university hospital which found Neisseria meningitidis, and was assumed in the second patient which the bacteria could not be identified. There are several success factors to get the disease under control. These factors are the information network and timely report between stations, the good cooperation and the timely support from the surveillance rapid response team(SRRT) of Nakornping Hospital, and of Chiangmai public health department, a strong measure was undertaken with the cooperation of the officers and the prisoners. These factors have saved both patients’ lifes and aborted the epidemic within 10 days.