Nothing to worry about meningitis says Al-Shimali

KUWAIT: Minister of Health and Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shimali reassured citizens and expatriates about the health situation in the country after detecting meningitis cases recently. “Only six infection cases have been registered so far, including four in 2011 and two in 2012,” the minister told reporters during an inspection visit to Farwaniya Hospital Thursday afternoon. “This number is far below the international prevalence rate of the disease, which starts from ten infection cases for each 100,000 people,” he pointed out.

“The six patients are receiving medication at four hospitals of the Ministry of Health, namely Mubarak Al-Kabir, Al-Sabah, the Amiri, and Farwaniya hospitals,” Al-Shimali said, affirming that the health situation is under control. All cases the meningitis involve foreigners coming into the country, which prompted the health authorities to vaccinate up to 10,000 persons so far.

“There are sufficient quantities of the relevant vaccines in Kuwait, so there is no need to panic,” Al-Shimali added. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Dr. Khalid Al-Sahlawi said the conditions of all the six patients are stable now. “The patients are getting better and respond quite well to the medication; they are about to recover completely,” he affirmed. Dr Al-Sahlawi highlighted the importance of following the precautionary measures against the infection, such as keeping away from coughing people or crowded areas. — KUNA