Health officials take action after Montreal teen dies of meningococcal infection

Montreal’s public health agency has administered antibiotics to over 100 people who were in close contact with a young woman who died of a meningococcal infection last Saturday.

The Bexsero vaccine, which protects against this strain, will be also given to those who were close to the victim.

The agency says lab tests have confirmed the 18-year-old junior college student died of a meningococcal B infection.

Close contact is defined as living under the same roof, direct contact with an infected person’s respiratory secretions or sexual contact.

The Quebec Health Department indicates there are several types of meningococcus bacteria, which can be found in a person’s airways. The bacteria can cause serious diseases such as meningitis and sepsis.

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: North Shore BIA working hard to develop a 'happening place'

1h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

Infection often occurs at the end of winter and early spring, and symptoms can include fever, headache, nausea and tiny red marks on the skin.

The Canadian Press