Bishkek registers 19 cases of meningitis in six months

AKIPRESS website – Kuban Kundashev, chief physician of the State Center for Hygiene and Epidemiological Surveillance in Bishkek, said that 19 cases of meningococcal infection have been reported in Bishkek in the past six months.

The World Health Organization reports that there are at least 500,000 cases of meningitis worldwide each year, with approximately 50,000 deaths. Survivors can face long-term effects such as hearing loss, seizures and limb weakness. Meningococcal infection is very dangerous and spreads through airborne droplets from an infected person.

The analysis showed that meningitis has a cyclical peak every 8 years and has been on a downward trend since 2016. Most cases occurred from December to May. The number of cases in the first half of 2024 decreased by 2.3 times compared to 2023.

In the event of worsening conditions and dangerous illnesses, emergency measures will be coordinated with the Cabinet, including paying an additional 50% of the salary to medical staff working outside normal working hours.