No confirmation yet on meningitis

The Ministry of Health says lab results have still not determined if a nine month old baby who died at the Belmopan Hospital on January twenty-fifth had Meningitis, but they do say the child displayed symptoms of the disease. According to Director of Health Services Dr. Errol Vanzie, the victim’s family, who reside in San Ignacio, appeared not to have contracted the illness, but as a precautionary measure they and others who may have come in close contact with the baby have been receiving antibiotics. Meanwhile, epidemiologist Dr. Paul Edwards has been dispatched to the Cayo District to investigate the case. Dr. Vanzie says they have not been able to confirm a report that an adult who died in the first week of January also had meningitis, but are also investigating that allegation. Vanzie says it is very rare for an adult to contract the virus and reminds any physician who may have treated a suspected case that he or she has the legal obligation to report any such incident to health authorities.