Two suspected cases of meningitis were detected at a private primary school in Attard earlier this week. The Disease Surveillance Unit within the Health Department was informed of the suspected cases and all necessary measures were taken as a precaution to prevent the spread of the disease.
Meningococcal meningitis poisons the brain and blood and spreads when people are in close contact. It is difficult to diagnose because of influenza-like symptoms it produces.
The children suspected afflicted by the disease are in a stable condition. Persons who have been in close prolonged contact with the pupils in question were administered antibiotics. Charmaine Gauci, head of the Disease Surveillance Unit, told The Times of Malta that the suspected meningitis cases were still not confirmed until Friday.
Ms. Gauci also told the newspaper that the situation was under control. The Education Division also monitored the situation.
On her part, the school head told the Times of Malta that most of the students were attending classes normally but there were some parents who had not yet allowed their children to return to school.
The worst period for the disease in Malta is between January and February. The incidence of meningitis has increased dramatically in a matter of 10 years from 1990, when there were two cases of infection, to 2000, when the number shot up to 32.
According to the Disease Surveillance Unit, there were 12 cases in 2004 and 10 in 2005.
