ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Some 490 people suspected of being meningitis carriers have been hospitalized in Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, since July 1, media said Tuesday.
The Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported 90 percent of those hospitalized were children under age 14. Some 155 people with meningitis, including 86 with aseptic meningitis, also have been hospitalized in Almaty.
The news agency said 82 children have been treated at Semipalatinsk's clinic since early July, with 80 of them testing positive for aseptic meningitis. An additional 34 cases of meningitis were reported in the Pavlodar region.
Doctors said they expect the meningitis outbreak to ease in early September because of the preventive measures that have been taken and the end of summer season.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by high fever, severe headache, and stiff neck or back muscles.
