Austrian Army Recruit in Coma in Vienna Hospital After Suspected Meningitis

He is in a coma, the armed forces announced on Thursday. It is suspected to be meningitis, also known as meningitis. Due to the notifiable disease, the soldier's environment was preventively treated with antibiotics, APA learned.

The recruit had just completed his basic training, received the new uniform and equipment, and would have now come to parade drill. On Monday evening, he reported with very high fever at the medical ward of the Maria-Theresien Barracks in Vienna. Accompanied by a paramedic, he was transferred to the Medical Center East in Stammersdorf, said army spokesman Marcel Taschwer.

Armed Forces Recruit in Vienna Hospital: Condition Rapidly Deteriorated

After a short-term improvement, the condition of the Burgenlander rapidly deteriorated from Tuesday noon, and he had to be treated by emergency doctors. In the early afternoon, the recruit was transferred in a comatose state to the Floridsdorf Clinic and then to the Landstraße Clinic. "The armed forces are deeply affected and express their condolences to the relatives. The Guard is in close contact with the relatives. The Army Psychological Service is available to comrades and relatives," emphasized Taschwer.

In cases of illness among basic military service members, the initial examination takes place in the medical ward in the barracks. Depending on the condition, admission to the ward or a military hospital follows. Further treatment is carried out in a correspondingly specialized civilian facility, it was explained.

No Further Cases Occurred

In recent weeks, no other case of meningitis has occurred within the ranks of the armed forces, it was said from military circles, the infection likely occurred outside. Apparently, there has been no such illness in the army for several years. The 21-year-old from Burgenland apparently did not take advantage of the offer for vaccinations and booster shots - including against meningococci - during the assessment and enlistment. The vaccination offer to the soldiers in the immediate vicinity of the patient has now been renewed, it was heard, in addition to the preventive administration of antibiotics. Furthermore, the situation will continue to be closely monitored, it is assured.

The transmission of meningococci, which can cause meningitis, occurs exclusively from person to person. According to the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), the risk of illness is low. Even with direct contact with an affected person, illness occurs very rarely. The pathogens can only survive outside the human body for a few seconds. Very close contact is required for infection (droplet infection, smear infection). Transmission through food does not occur according to AGES. In 2023, 16 laboratory-confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal diseases were registered nationwide at the National Reference Center for Meningococci, with no fatalities.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.