Tuscan meningitis outbreak spurs injections
April 25, 2016
The mystery outbreak of meningitis in Tuscany has claimed another victim, causing health authorities to renew their calls for Tuscans to get vaccinated against the disease.
A 44-year-old woman died from meningitis in Prato on Monday.
In September there were 32 cases of meningitis across the province, causing seven deaths, six from meningitis C, and one from meningitis B, Pisa Today reported.
Following the latest death, Stefania Saccardi, the regional healthcare councillor for Florence, renewed calls for Tuscans to get the meningococcal vaccination, which protects against both forms of the disease.
“It prevents the risk of contracting the disease and protects those vaccinated and those around them,” she said in a statement.
At present, the cause of the outbreak remains a mystery.
“We can’t explain the outbreak of meningitis C in Tuscany – but we are working with health authorities to monitor the situation to find a response,” Saccardi said.
Following the first cases in September, Tuscany launched a huge vaccination drive mobilizing thousands of doctors who have so far vaccinated more than 150,000 people under the age of 45.
But amid healthcare concerns in Tuscany, the National Health Institute has expressed concerns over the drop in the number of children across Italy being vaccinated against various diseases.
Original article: The Local
