Mysterious cluster of child brain infections on the rise in southern Nevada
In Nevada last year, the number of brain abscesses in kids tripled — rising from an average of four to five a year to 18
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Experts with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating rising cases of rare and serious brain abscesses in kids in and around southern Nevada, it was reported.
Doctors from other parts of the country say they are also witnessing a rise in cases, according to a report in CNN.
In Nevada last year, the number of brain abscesses in kids tripled — rising from an average of four to five a year to 18.
“In my 20 years’ experience, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Dr Taryn Bragg, an associate professor at the University of Utah who treated the cases was quoted as saying.
The Southern Nevada Health District said in a statement that the median age of patients was 12, and 76 per cent of them were male.
A brain abscess is a collection of pus in the brain tissue caused by bacteria or fungal infection that usually develops after surgery, brain infection or trauma, according to Harvard Medical School.
The Nevada health district, meanwhile, said that the signs and symptoms of a brain abscess include fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting and seizures.
Dr Jessica Penney, the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officer assigned to the Southern Nevada Health District, investigated the cases and found the 18 infected kids hadn’t experienced previous brain surgery or trauma. She reported on the investigation, which ended in 2022.
“These are healthy children. With no prior significant medical history that would make them more prone … there wasn’t any known immunosuppression or anything like that,” she told CNN.
“After March of 2022, there was just a huge increase,” in brain abscesses, Dr Bragg said. “I was seeing large numbers of cases and that’s unusual.”
“And the similarities in terms of the presentation of cases was striking.”
The statement noted that going to the hospital, 14 of the patients required surgery to drain the brain mass, 76 per cent of patients were diagnosed with sinusitis and 26 per cent were diagnosed with mastoiditis.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments