Rare bacterial infection kills two

A bacterial infection known as meningococcemia has claimed the lives of two people in Ventura County. The names and addresses of the victims were not disclosed.

One victim was an infant who suffered from flu-like symptoms with a purple rash; the other was a young adult who was brought to an emergency room with extremely low blood pressure, health officials said.

Meningococcemia is a type of blood poisoning that is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis.

The bacterium also is responsible for causing meningitis, an infection in which the membranes covering the spine and brain undergo intense swelling often leading to death.

Meningococcemia is a fast-acting bacterial infection whose symptoms are often mistaken for the flu. People will often experience malaise, nausea, vomiting and chills during the onset of the infection.

While people suffering from influenza or the common cold often recover as time passes, those suffering from meningococcemia become progressively worse.

Both victims had been experiencing flu-like symptoms for nearly a week before the infection forced them to be hospitalized, officials said.

The infection is most likely to occur in infants, teenagers and young adults. Immunizations are available for four out of five types of Neisseria memingitidis, and doctors recommend that all people under 20 years of age or living in a college dormitory should ask their health care provider for an immunization shot.

Other common sense practices, such as washing hands and taking time off to recuperate from illnesses, help to prevent the spread of the infection, experts say.

The last meningococcemia infection to cause a death in Ventura County was three years ago.