Pre-sc oolers- treated when meningitis found By NIGEL HORSLEY THE NORTH Shore has been hit by two cases of meningitis in- volving young children, only weeks after another child died of the disease. So far at least 40 children have started a _ four-day course of treatment with the expensive antibiotic Rifam- pin being supplied by Lions Gate Hospital. The latest cases, reported within 24 hours of each other, involve two different strains of Hemophilus Men- ingitis which is one of the less dangerous forms of the disease. North Vancouver Medical Officer of Health, Dr_ Eric MacBean, stated the onset of the disease is usually sudden and symptoms are those of fever, vomiting, lethargy and what they call meningeal irritation which means a stiff neck and the child is crying. **Usually these are young children that we are talking about. We’re not talking about older children who can often tell you what’s wrong with them,’’ he said. He said that these very young children had not built up natural immunities as happens with adults. “*This is why we’re con- cerned about that age group and why we’re concerned with daycare centres rather than ordinary schools,’’ said Dr. MacBean. He confirmed that there are now two cases. **They involve the same germ but different strains of that germ. They could not have picked it up from the same source. “*This is very unusual for us. We had one case about two months ago, that was the unfortunate one that died. That is the one that is the reason why people are so upset at the moment.” He stressed that the measures being taken now were largely precautionary and that some authorities considered them not necessary. ‘The point is if you start giving out this drug, which is DR. ERIC MACBEAN --- issues warning not cheap, to every casual contact. First of all 99.99 per cent is a waste of time but of course you can argue that you have only got to save one life and millions are saved. **But you may be actually doing harm by doing what has happened with other drugs. People develop resistance to it and then you have lost the drug when you most need it for people who really are at risk,’’ remarked Dr. MacBean. ‘*It is a serious disease. It is a potentially lethal disease,’’ he continued. **I hope this will be the last we hear of this. We may not have another case for a year.”’ Dr. MacBean said the disease is commonly transmitted in water droplets that occur when a_ child sneezes. The incubation period is about two to five days. ‘It’s not going to be pick- ed up from touching something in the room,’’ he said. His advice to parents was to carry on as normal sending children to daycare or preschool. **The only other age group that might just possibly be in danger would be the very elderly who have some other heart problem, or something like that just like they might be with ordinary ’flu,’’ added Dr. MacBean. ‘*Each year they think we are going to have a ‘flu epidemic. It usually comes every seven years. It’s about the time for another one. ‘* Flu tends to hit the high school age group badly and they ali drop like ninepins. The ’flu danger is for the old people or people who have some chronic disease. Those are the people the govern- ment recommends ’flu vac- cine for,’’ he said. oe Pies A9 - Sunday, December 4, 1983 - North Shore News CLEANING ~., WINDOWS / CARPETS C-) call Cliff Kingston 461-7867 _ “FREE GIFT with every estimate”’ TIS THE SALE BEFORE, “ CHRISTMAS | Sagrers This cleqant Oak Enqlish Roll Top Desk would look great in your living room, hall or perhaps in a quiet corner of the bedroom. It has a bookcase underneath anda light on top of the writing area. Regularly priced at $895 Sager’‘s brings you their | CHRISTMAS SPECIAL DRESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Now is the time to visit Stephanie’s and SAVE on selected styles of party dresses! 20% OFF SELECTED DRESSES IN SIZES 2 TO 14. e SPECIAL FEATURE — AS ILLUSTRATED EYELET BLOUSE AND TAFFETA SKIRT sizes 4-6X, Reg. $60.00 SALE $37.99 sizes 7-14, Reg. $65.00 SALE $39.99 SUPER SPECIAL ENTIRE STOCK OF BUSTER BROWN lf, OFF INFANTS’ TO SIZE 6X Stare THE FASHION CENTRE FOR CHILDREN RICHMOND CENTRE 273-4323 OAKRIDGE 261-3617 PACIFIC CENTRE 669-2513 PARK ROYAL 926-5616 LANSDOWNE PARK 278-6334 GUR Dt ORD TOWN CENTRE 585-2622 COQUITLAM CENTRE 464-1741 SURREY PLACE 584.2110 HANEY PLACE 467.9919 922-7317 2423 Marine, W.V.