Overten instances of meningitis identified in Tomsk region reportedly confirmed
In recent months, a seasonal surge of Enterovirus Infection (EVI) has been reported in Tomsk Oblast, with a majority of cases affecting children aged 3 to 10. Here's what parents and caregivers need to know to protect their children and help control the spread of the virus.
The Spread of Enterovirus
Enterovirus spreads through three main routes: waterborne, contact-household, and foodborne. The virus is extremely resistant in the external environment, retaining viability in water for up to two months and on surfaces for several days. Swimming in contaminated water bodies, drinking unboiled water, contact with dirty hands, toys, surfaces, eating unwashed vegetables, fruits, or street food can lead to EVI infection.
Prevention Measures
Current prevention measures for EVI in children aged 3 to 10 focus on reducing transmission and reinforcing immunity. Good hygiene practices are crucial, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. Teaching children to avoid touching their face (eyes, nose, mouth) with unwashed hands and proper respiratory etiquette (covering mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing) are also important.
Environmental sanitation plays a significant role in prevention. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces and toys in homes, schools, and daycare centers is essential. Ensuring safe drinking water and proper sewage disposal is also crucial to minimize fecal-oral transmission.
Isolation and avoidance of crowded places are also key. Keeping children with symptoms of enterovirus infection (fever, rash, sore throat) home from school or daycare is important, as is avoiding crowded public places during outbreaks.
Health education is vital in preventing the spread of EVI. Informing parents, caregivers, and school staff about symptoms, transmission routes, and preventive actions is essential. Encouraging immediate medical consultation if symptoms appear is also important.
Local healthcare facilities in Tomsk Oblast monitor EVI cases to identify outbreaks early and respond accordingly. While there is no universal vaccine for all enteroviruses, vaccination against specific types like poliovirus is part of routine childhood immunization programs in Russia, including Tomsk Oblast.
Additional Measures in Tomsk Oblast
For Tomsk Oblast specifically, local health authorities may conduct additional campaigns during peak EVI seasons and coordinate with schools and childcare centers to implement these preventive measures rigorously. If you're looking for detailed regional guidelines, contacting the Tomsk Oblast health department or local pediatric clinics may provide the most up-to-date protocols tailored to that region.
Symptoms and Complications
The disease caused by EVI can manifest in various ways, ranging from mild symptoms like URI, rash, and gastrointestinal disorders to severe neurological system damage. Serous meningitis, a dangerous complication of EVI, is characterized by fever, vomiting, photophobia, and requires immediate hospitalization.
Protection against EVI relies on adhering to basic hygiene rules. Use only boiled or bottled water for consumption. Swim only in approved areas, as Lakes Boyarskoye, TNHK, Ushayka, and Basandayka rivers are contaminated with E. coli and parasites. Disinfect children's toys and household items daily, and isolate individuals with symptoms of EVI or gastrointestinal disorders from groups.
Stay informed and vigilant to help protect your children from EVI. If you or your child experience symptoms such as fever above 38°C, vomiting, rash, or headache, seek medical attention immediately.
