Huron Co.: school closed due to suspected meningitis

[Shiloh]

Source: http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=7067787

Suspected meningitis case closes school
Friday, October 16, 2009 | 6:15 AM

ABC12 image
Laker School District closed as precaution


PIGEON (WJRT) -- (10/16/09) -- The Laker School District is closed today because of a suspected case of bacterial meningitis.

The district is centered in the Huron County town of Pigeon.

ABC12 has learned a kindergarten student in the district has a suspected case of bacterial meningitis.

The Superintendent tells us they are awaiting blood test results to confirm the diagnosis.

Some symptoms of bacterial meningitis include high fever, headache and stiff neck. There can also be nausea and confusion.

Bacterial meningitis is contagious, and can be spread through coughing and sneezing.

It is treated by antibiotics

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Huron Co.: school closed due to suspected meningitis

Source: http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2009/10/bacterial_meningitis_case_clos.html

UPDATE: Bacterial meningitis not confirmed, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port School District closed for day
By Andrew Dodson | The Bay City Times
October 16, 2009, 11:07AM

It didn?t snow last night, but students at the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port School District had school canceled for the day.

Superintendent Robert Smith took a precautionary step to close the school district after an apparent case of bacterial meningitis was detected in a kindergarten student at Laker Elementary School.

Huron County Health Officer Gretchen Tenbusch said no such case was confirmed, however.

"At this point, there is no growth from blood and spinal cultures," said Tenbusch.

She also said the student's flora, or bacteria on throat, was normal.

"Everyone has a normal amount of flora," said Tenbusch.

While the only suspected case came at Laker Elementary School, Smith said the organizational overlap in the district required the entire district to be shutdown.

?In a smaller district, the organizational factors require some people to be at more than one building,? said Smith. ?Bus routes also pick up kids of all ages.?

Tenbusch said the health department will continue to monitor lab results and will inform the community if it becomes a confirmed case.

Smith said the kindergarten student is stable and on antibiotics. He should be released in 24 to 48 hours.

As a precaution, school officials are disinfecting and sanitizing the school, although bacterial meningitis is contracted through inhaling germs from sneezing and wheezing, said Smith.

The varsity football game is still on for tonight, as the Lakers hit the road to take on the Hatchets of Bad Axe.

Check back for more updates.

Signs and Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis:

* Common in infants
o Fever
o Irritability
o Poor eating
o Hard to awaken
* Common in older children and adults
o High fever
o Severe headache
o Stiff neck
o Sensitivity to bright light
o Sleepiness or trouble waking up
o Nausea, vomiting
o Lack of appetite