A 17-year-old girl from Diksmuide in West Flanders has died from a suspected case of meningitis after returning from a school trip.
The disease, caused by meningococcal bacteria, can be potentially fatal. Vaccination against the infection is included in the basic vaccination schedule for young people in Belgium, which offers protection against strains A,C,W and Y. While infection can typically be treated with antibiotics, the disease can be potentially fatal if not treated quickly.
According to Joris Moonens, spokesperson for the Flemish Health Agency, it is still not "entirely certain" if the death is related to the disease, but "the clinical picture seems to indicate this, given its rapid development and fatal outcome," he explained.
The girl succumbed to the illness just 24 hours after falling ill. Deaths as a result of meningitis in Belgium are extremely rare. Of the 45 people infected with the bacteria last year, there were few fatalities.
Preventative actions have been taken to ensure that the victim did not contaminate other students on the trip. Another student sharing a room with the patient has received preventative treatment for the disease and students who came into close contact with the victim have started a course of antibiotics.
"The likelihood of contamination in other people is so low that it is simply a matter of vigilance," Moonens said. Telltale signs of infection include a stiff neck, fever, vomiting and a rash.
The Flemish Health Agency assured that there was no risk of widespread contamination in Belgium.
