The bacteria is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets and throat secretions, generally following close and prolonged contact with a sick or carrier individual. Symptoms can appear rapidly and include fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck and altered consciousness. In some cases, a rash of small reddish or purplish spots that do not disappear when pressed may also appear, especially when sepsis is present.
Meningococcal disease requires urgent medical attention and, when a bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotic treatment should begin as soon as possible. In addition, when a case is confirmed, health authorities may provide preventive antibiotics to close contacts to reduce the risk of new cases emerging. Vaccination is one of the main tools for preventing meningococcal disease.
ONE CASE OF MPOX IN HUESCA AND TWO E. COLI INFECTIONS IN ARAGON
The Epidemiological Bulletin also reported a case of mpox in Huesca province this week. This infectious disease, formerly known as monkeypox, is caused by the mpox virus and is mainly transmitted through close physical contact with an infected person, particularly through skin or mucous membrane lesions and bodily fluids. Transmission can also occur through contaminated objects.
Its most common symptoms include a skin rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes. Lesions can appear on different parts of the body and develop into scabs. Most people recover within several weeks, and treatment mainly focuses on relieving pain and fever, maintaining adequate hydration and caring for the lesions to prevent complications or secondary infections.
Two cases of infection with verotoxigenic Escherichia coli have also been detected, one in Huesca province and the other in Zaragoza province. These E. coli variants, also known as STEC or VTEC, produce toxins capable of causing intestinal infections. Transmission can occur through contaminated food or water, particularly undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk or contaminated vegetables, as well as through contact with carrier animals or between people.
The infection usually causes abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea, which may contain blood, and vomiting, and most people recover within several days. However, some patients may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication that can affect the kidneys. Treatment is mainly based on maintaining proper hydration and managing symptoms, while antibiotics are not generally recommended for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections because of the risk of complications.
