OR: Bacterial meningitis suspected in death of Columbia Co. H.S. Student

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Source: https://www.koin.com/news/health/bac...elens-student/

Bacterial meningitis suspected in death of St. Helens student
Further tests required to confirm cause of death, Columbia County Public Health investigating
by: Anna Del Savio/Columbia County Spotlight
Posted: Oct 22, 2019 / 10:52 AM PDT / Updated: Oct 22, 2019 / 12:06 PM PDT

PORTLAND, Ore. (PAMPLIN MEDIA) — A St. Helens High School student died over the weekend and doctors suspect bacterial meningitis may have been the cause of death.

Further tests are required to confirm the cause of death. Those test results should be released later this week, according to a press release from Columbia County...

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Source: https://www.thechiefnews.com/communi...075bbb972.html

UPDATE: Bacterial meningitis investigation still underway, 30 people have recieved antibiotics
Julie Thompson Oct 21, 2019 Updated 1 hr ago

UPDATE: As of Thursday, Oct. 24, the Oregon Health Authority has decided to send a sample to the CDC for futher investigation, according to Columbia County communications manager Karen Kane.

The decision means determining whether bacterial meningitis was actually the cause of the St. Helens High School junior's death could take several more days to a few weeks.

Kane said the county's investigation will continue for at least days past the last possible date of transmission. Since the student died on Oct. 21, if new cases were to appear, Kane said they would probably develop by or before Oct. 31. However, most cases occur within four days of exposure.

"Our Public Health Department has determined that 47 people made close enough contact with the case, although we will continue to investigate others if need be," Kane said. "At least 30 people have received the antibiotic, which is Cipro, as of today."

A 16-year-old junior and wrestling team member at St. Helens High School passed away Monday morning, Oct. 21, and doctors suspect bacterial meningitis caused his death...