ABSTRACT
Following mass population displacements in South Sudan, preventive cholera vaccination campaigns were conducted in displaced persons camps before a 2014 cholera outbreak. We compare cholera transmission in vaccinated and unvaccinated areas and show vaccination likely halted transmission within vaccinated areas, illustrating the potential for oral cholera vaccine to stop cholera transmission in vulnerable populations.
Subject(s)
Cholera Vaccines/immunology , Cholera/epidemiology , Cholera/prevention & control , Vibrio cholerae/immunology , Administration, Oral , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Cholera Vaccines/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Population Surveillance , South Sudan/epidemiology , Vaccination , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: After deployment of the Haemophilus influenzae vaccination, the range of pathogens causing acute epiglottitis has changed, as has the epidemiology from a primarily pediatric syndrome towards more frequent adult onset. OBJECTIVES: We present a case of acute-onset meningococcal epiglottitis in an adult patient, to our knowledge one of a few reported cases in the medical literature. We review the historic changes and outcomes of similar episodes. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old diabetic man presented to our Emergency Department in acute respiratory distress. Examination revealed epiglottitis; his airway subsequently closed rapidly and was secured by surgical cricothyroidotomy; blood cultures showed the primary pathogen to be Neisseria meningitidis type C. CONCLUSION: Neisseria meningitidis has been found to be an emerging cause of acute epiglottitis in adult patients over the last decade, possibly having worsened outcomes compared to other etiologies.
