Health

Meningitis hits Mwense School, two learners dead.

THE Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of meningitis at Mwense Secondary School in Luapula Province, which has so far claimed two lives. Minister of Health Elijah Muchima said 17 patients are currently admitted at Mwense and Mansa General hospitals. Dr Muchima said the…

Mwebantu Published 10 July 2025, 13:07 CAT • 10 Jul 2025 1 min read

Meningitis hits Mwense School, two learners dead.

THE Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of meningitis at Mwense Secondary School in Luapula Province, which has so far claimed two lives.

Minister of Health Elijah Muchima said 17 patients are currently admitted at Mwense and Mansa General hospitals.

Dr Muchima said the outbreak has so far recorded a cumulative total of 83 suspected cases, with five confirmed cases ,all caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae ,16 discharges, and two deaths.

This follows an increase in the number of learners visiting health centres with flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, headache, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

In a media statement, Dr Muchima said results from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests confirmed the presence of a bacterial infection affecting the brain and its covering.

Lakatips

“This disease is called meningitis, and the type of bacteria isolated is Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumococcal meningitis.

“In addition to this bacterium, we have also isolated Influenza A and B viruses, as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae from the respiratory system,” he said.

Dr Muchima added that there are two vaccines available to protect against different types of pneumococcal meningitis.

However, he said the Ministry does not plan to vaccinate the learners at this time but will provide antibiotics to help prevent further transmission.

(Mwebantu, Thursday, 10th July, 2025)

Source: Mwebantu — Read more

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