China's Ministry of Health urged citizens and medical authorities yesterday to be on the alert against possible outbreaks of bacterial meningitis - a disease that has killed at least 16 people across China's mainland, including six in Anhui Province since mid-December.
Throughout the mainland, 258 cases of meningitis were reported in January, 94 more than during the same month last year.
Anhui health authorities reported 61 meningitis cases between December 20 and Friday, 49 of which have been cured. Seven patients remain under quarantine.
Most of those who died were students.
The health ministry warned the public that epidemic meningitis and other infectious diseases can be easily spread during peak travel periods such as the Lunar New Year, which begins on February 9.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by high fever, severe headaches, nausea and a stiff neck. It can be spread through coughing, kissing or other forms of physical contact.
Health authorities across China have been urged to step up monitoring and assure that the public receives timely and precise reports about the status of the disease.
According to a notice issued by the ministry, medical institutes must prepare vaccines and give special priority to regions with dense population.
Meningitis victims should be isolated quickly and treated by experts, the notice said.
The ministry also urged the public to pay attention to private health and environmental cleanliness.
Medical experts suggested that everyone, especially students, should do more exercise to increase their immunity. They urged those suffering from fever, headache, sore throats or coughs to go to a hospital immediately for treatment.
Hong Kong authorities said yesterday that they were concerned about the mainland's outbreak of bacterial meningitis and were trying to get more information.
"It seems to be serious because there are a number of fatalities," Dr York Chow, secretary for Health, Welfare and Food in Hong Kong, told reporters. "We want to know whether this is something that has been endemic for some time, or whether this is a new strain."
The death rate from meningitis can be as high as 10 percent to 15 percent. Worldwide, about 171,000 people die from the disease each year, according to the World Health Organization.