Question

Life in the Meningitis Belt It was a celebration three days of dancing to give thanks to God for the spring harvest. Saihun was enjoying watching the young girls and men attired with silver and gold ornaments. Sain lived near other members of her clan, a large ex tended family within the Khasi tribe of the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya The Abode of the Clouds, a state in northeast India that bordered Bangladesh. Al though the day of the celebration was hot and humid, it had not rained- real blessing considering the lived in the wettest place on earth. The East Khasi Hills and surrounding areas were part of a subtropical rainforest. The abundant rain helped Saihun's family to eke out a living growing rice. Although Saihan was i ng the night's celebration, she was worried about her father, who was in bed with a fever and headache. Normally, she wouldn't be concerned except for the recent news of a meningitis outbreak moving through the area. The outbreak, which began in Bangladesh, had moved into northeastern India. The latest news stated that more than 2,500 people had taken ill with over 230 deaths in just the past month, with most of the cases occurring among the 140,000 people who lived in the poor tribal-dominated areas of Meghalaya. Meningitis- aration of the brain and spinal cord Epidemic - A licant increase in the incidence of a disease over what is typically expected Meningitis Belt - Portions of SubSaharan Africa from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east containing arm y 300 million people that chanted as a lepidemic 1 What pathogens can cause meningitis? 2. Which pathogen is most often associated with epidemics in the "Meningitis Belt? • Name and describe the causative agent of meningococcal meningitis. Incidence - The number of new cases of a disease per a specific population occurring over a pren period of time Photophobia-Dessive sensitivity tot 4. If appropriate facilities and funds were available, what lab tests would be used to determine whether Sailuns father had meningococcal meningitis? 5. What is the incidence rate of the disease? The next morning when Sohn checked on her father his headache was in He was vomiting, was very sensitive to light photophobial, and had a stiff neck. Saiun also noticed a regular mash on his trunk and legs & How is this pathogen spread from person to person? 7. What characteristics of the pathogen cable it to infect and damage the CNS? & What characteristics of the pathogen cause therash that was observed? Saihun's family did not have the means to get her father to a hospital for care. However, they were able to obtain the necessary antibiotics from a local clinic supplied by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases What antibiotics) is/are typically given to treat meningococcal meningitis? 10. What is the mechanism of action of the drug? Figurel Gran stain of CE IL How could Saihan family help prevent further spread of the pathogen to others in their tribe? 30 Community-Acquired infections