The Ministry of Health sent 22,000 doses of vaccine against meningitis A and C to Maranhão in an attempt to contain the outbreak of the disease in the state. The final balance of the Health Department points 34 notifications of meningococcal C, nine confirmed cases and five deaths.

According to the ministry, a surveillance crew is already in Maranhão and investigates cases of meningitis in five counties in the southern region of the state - Sambaíba, Loreto, San Raimundo Mangabeiras, Ferries and Feira Nova Maranhão.

The guideline is that people who had contact with infected people or live in outbreak areas are being treated with antibiotic rifampicin. The indication is that the use is done right in the first 48 hours. The government of Maranhão, the ministry has enough stock of the drug to meet the state's population.

These actions are the effective way to prevent the spread of new cases among people who had such close contact to the infected patient prevented the spread of the outbreak, said the folder through note.

Yesterday (11), a rescue helicopter from Air Tactical Group reached the city of Barsas actions to assist in coping with meningitis. The aircraft, equipped with an intensive care miniunidade will transport patients with clinical findings requiring immediate removal and proceeds to the city of Empress.

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