More than 600 learners at a school in Johannesburg have been give prophylaxis treatment after an outbreak of Meningitis claimed the life of a fellow pupil.
The 15-year-old female learner from Mondeor High School passed away earlier this week after being diagnosed with a serious strain of Meningitis. A teacher and four other learners were also admitted to hospital for observation, and doctors have confirmed that one of the learners has contracted the disease.
“Measures have been taken to control the situation,” says Nanagolo Leopang, spokesperson for the Gauteng department of education.
A team from the Gauteng Department of Health which includes doctors, nurses and officials from the Gauteng Department of Education has been sent to the school to monitor the situation.
Meningitis is a type of bacteria that causes inflammation around the brain and spine if it finds its way into the bloodstream.
The symptoms of meningitis vary and depend both on the age of the child and on the cause of the infection, but include drowsiness or confusion, eyes sensitive to light, skin rash, fits or nausea.