Meningitis reaches record levels in Switzerland
The number of meningitis cases in Switzerland reached record levels in 1999, but the health ministry says there is no cause for alarm. Last year, there were 168 recorded cases of the deadly brain disease, an increase of 40 per cent over 1998.
The number of meningitis cases in Switzerland reached record levels in 1999, but the health ministry says the rise is no cause for alarm. Last year, there were 168 recorded cases of the deadly brain disease, an increase of 40 per cent over 1998.
The Swiss Ministry of Health says the reason for the sudden increase is unclear, but it is a Europe-wide phenomenon. Nearly all European countries reported increased cases of the deadly brain disease.
In an average year, 119 people in Switzerland succumb to meningitis. Of those, an estimated 10 per cent do not survive.
The last record year was 1991, when 143 cases were diagnosed.
The health ministry is now analysing the data to ascertain which types of meningitis are most common. The disease manifests in three different types, known as A, B and C.
More than half the recorded cases were meningitis B, for which there is no vaccination.
From staff and wire reports
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