Post by corsair67 on Feb 26, 2008 16:22:29 GMT 12
Probably all come to nothing, but I guess the authorities have to warn people of the possible danger.
Hopefully the young victim will make a full recovery.
Air NZ passengers in meningitis scare
February 26, 2008.
PASSENGERS on an Air New Zealand flight to Perth may have come into contact with the life-threatening meningococcal disease, the West Australian health authority has warned.
A young woman is in a very serious condition in Royal Adelaide Hospital after an unscheduled stopover in Adelaide last night when she began displaying symptoms of the illness during the flight from Auckland.
WA Health Department communicable disease control director Dr Paul Van Buynder said it was extremely unlikely any of the other passengers would contract the disease but it was important they were aware of the possible exposure.
"Over the long history of international air travel there have been no known cases of transmission of meningococcal disease on flights of this duration," Dr Van Buynder said.
Passengers on the flight should monitor their health in the next two weeks and seek urgent medical attention if they develop a high fever, rash, headache, neck stiffness, abdominal pain, vomiting or muscle and joint pains.
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon, life-threatening bacterial illness that could cause infection of the blood and/or lining of the brain, Dr Van Buynder said.
Hopefully the young victim will make a full recovery.
Air NZ passengers in meningitis scare
February 26, 2008.
PASSENGERS on an Air New Zealand flight to Perth may have come into contact with the life-threatening meningococcal disease, the West Australian health authority has warned.
A young woman is in a very serious condition in Royal Adelaide Hospital after an unscheduled stopover in Adelaide last night when she began displaying symptoms of the illness during the flight from Auckland.
WA Health Department communicable disease control director Dr Paul Van Buynder said it was extremely unlikely any of the other passengers would contract the disease but it was important they were aware of the possible exposure.
"Over the long history of international air travel there have been no known cases of transmission of meningococcal disease on flights of this duration," Dr Van Buynder said.
Passengers on the flight should monitor their health in the next two weeks and seek urgent medical attention if they develop a high fever, rash, headache, neck stiffness, abdominal pain, vomiting or muscle and joint pains.
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon, life-threatening bacterial illness that could cause infection of the blood and/or lining of the brain, Dr Van Buynder said.
