Suspected meningococcal claims Red Bluff boy

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Source: http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/news/ci_14165576

Suspected meningococcal claims Red Bluff boy
Special to the Daily News
Updated: 01/11/2010 09:18:48 AM PST

A student at Bidwell School in Red Bluff became ill this week with suspected meningococcal infection and has subsequently died, according to Tehama County Health Officer, Dr. Richard Wickenheiser.

"We would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the family of this boy," Wickenheiser said. "His death is a tragic reminder of the threat posed by this disease."

The Tehama County Department of Education is working closely with state and local health officials to prevent the spread of this disease.

"In addition to our thoughts going out to the family, we are doing all that we can to work with our partners in Public Health to ensure that our remaining students and staff are safe," said William McCoy, superintendent for Red Bluff Elementary School District.

All persons who had close contact with the 10-year-old victim have been identified and treated with antibiotics by Public Health and school nurses...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Suspected meningococcal claims Red Bluff boy

Source: http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/news/ci_14199247

Tehama County: 2nd meningitis case diagnosed, treated
Officials: May indicate cluster'
By GEOFF JOHNSON -DN Staff Writer
Updated: 01/15/2010 07:17:04 AM PST

Tehama County officials confirmed Thursday another case of meningitis was found in a 6-yearold Red Bluff girl, but it could be months before it is clear whether it is the bacterial meningitis that killed a 10-year-old boy last weekend.

The girl came down with symptoms at the end of her Christmas break from school. After being hospitalized at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, she is at home and recovering, Health Services Agency Director Valerie Lucero said. During the course of the last few days, we have found a tentative link (between the two children), Lucero said.

But confirming the link means using DNA tests, which could take weeks to come back from the laboratory.

Lab work obtained this week revealed both children were infected by a kind of meningitis that can be prevented with a common vaccine.

Tehama County has waived its rule of offering the vaccine only to children 11 and older and offered mass vaccination clinics at Vista Middle School, where a cousin of the girl showed meningitis symptoms but was treated without a meningitis test, and Bidwell Elementary School, where the deceased 10-year-old attended.

In the case of the deceased boy, about 50 people, including students who had been in close contact with the boy, were prescribed antibiotics as a precautionary measure.

Because the girl was isolated during her break, those measures have not been necessary for her school.

Lucero and Public
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Health Director Syd Wilby both declined to release the name of the school the girl attends because the girl was diagnosed and treated before she could return to school.

County Superintendent Larry Champion said the girl did not attend school in the Red Bluff Elementary School District.

Because the cases of meningitis are similar, they may be considered a cluster and warrant more mass vaccinations in the coming days.

That decision should be made within the week, Wilby said.

Vaccinations remain available at the Tehama County Public Health Department for children 11 and older. Call 1 800 655- 6845 for information.

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Staff Writer Geoff Johnson can be reached at 527-2153, extension 114, or at gjohnson@redbluffdailynews.com

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Source: http://www.corning-observer.com/news/health-6772-confirmed-public.html

Earlier meningitis case confirmed
Friday, Jan 15 2010, 6:43 pm
Corning Observer

Tehama County Health Services Agency confirmed this week that over the Christmas break, a 6-year-old girl had been hospitalized at U.C. Davis with meningococcal infection, and that the child has since been released to go home.

Lab tests are being conducted at this time to confirm whether or not the same bacterial meningitis, which killed a 10-year-old last boy last week, caused the infection, but the final report may not come out for several months.

"The latest news is the California Department of Public Health has sent a sample to the Center of Disease for geno typing," Public Health Director Syd Wilby said Friday.

Wilby also said there is a possible link between the two children, but that will not be confirmed until the tests are finalized. So far, lab results have, however, confirmed that both children had the Type C strain of meningitis which can be prevented by the Menactra Vaccine.

"Because the cases are isolated to Red Bluff, vaccine clinics will be set up primarily at the different Red Bluff school sites, however, vaccinations will be available in other areas of the county as well," Wilby said.

Public Health, Corning will have the vaccinations and they are open from 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays; 824-4890. For more information, call 1-800-655-6845.