Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.recordcourier.com/article/20090723/NEWS/907239981/1062&ParentProfile=1049
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Valley child sick with swine flu, meningitis
by Scott Neuffer
sneuffer@recordcourier.com
A child at the Boys & Girls Club of Carson Valley has tested positive for both swine flu and viral spinal meningitis, according to club officials.
On Thursday, branch director Shannon Harris said the Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School location will remain open unless more cases surface.
?If more cases arise, then different steps will be taken,? she said. ?When I walked in this morning, there were six janitors disinfecting the entire area.?
Harris said a parent contacted her Wednesday afternoon to report their child had been infected by both swine flu and meningitis.
According to Web MD, the latter is an infection of the coverings around the brain and spinal cord caused by either bacteria or a virus.
Harris said once she found out, she contacted her supervisors and school district officials about the illness.
?We were told by medical professionals that it was not the contagious form of meningitis,? Harris said.
In regards to swine flu, Harris said she was told the best course of action was to keep the kids healthy, but to not shut down the facility for one case.
?The biggest concern was meningitis, but it's not contagious,? she said.
Carson Valley Medical Cen ter spokeswoman Shannon Albert said the Gardnerville hospital has had three confirmed cases of the swine flu and an increase in patients with flu-like symptoms.
?All suspect cases are being sent for testing,? Albert said. ?Patients entering our facility with flu-like symptoms are being asked to wear a mask to reduce the risk of spreading illness.?
Harris said if parents observe any flu-like symptoms in their children, they should seek medical attention immediately.
?The kids have been asking about meningitis, so I printed some hand-outs from Web MD,? she said. ?We have a normal group of kids, about 80. At this point, the club is open, the area is disinfected and signs are posted for the parents.?
Diane McCoy, director of operations for the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada, said the organization contacted the Nevada State Health Division. She said health officials made no other recommendations than what the club was already doing.
?Swine flu has a three-day incubation period,? McCoy said. ?The child was sick on Friday, and we got the confirmation back of what it was.?
McCoy said she expects the patient to be absent for a while.
?The child is recovering nicely, and no longer needs hospitalization,? she said.
Rich Alexander, director of human resources for the school district, said the district supports the actions taken by the Boys & Girls Club.
?However, since we are the facility provider, we are providing additional support to them through custodial staff to ensure things are clean and disinfected,? he said.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Valley child sick with swine flu, meningitis
by Scott Neuffer
sneuffer@recordcourier.com
A child at the Boys & Girls Club of Carson Valley has tested positive for both swine flu and viral spinal meningitis, according to club officials.
On Thursday, branch director Shannon Harris said the Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School location will remain open unless more cases surface.
?If more cases arise, then different steps will be taken,? she said. ?When I walked in this morning, there were six janitors disinfecting the entire area.?
Harris said a parent contacted her Wednesday afternoon to report their child had been infected by both swine flu and meningitis.
According to Web MD, the latter is an infection of the coverings around the brain and spinal cord caused by either bacteria or a virus.
Harris said once she found out, she contacted her supervisors and school district officials about the illness.
?We were told by medical professionals that it was not the contagious form of meningitis,? Harris said.
In regards to swine flu, Harris said she was told the best course of action was to keep the kids healthy, but to not shut down the facility for one case.
?The biggest concern was meningitis, but it's not contagious,? she said.
Carson Valley Medical Cen ter spokeswoman Shannon Albert said the Gardnerville hospital has had three confirmed cases of the swine flu and an increase in patients with flu-like symptoms.
?All suspect cases are being sent for testing,? Albert said. ?Patients entering our facility with flu-like symptoms are being asked to wear a mask to reduce the risk of spreading illness.?
Harris said if parents observe any flu-like symptoms in their children, they should seek medical attention immediately.
?The kids have been asking about meningitis, so I printed some hand-outs from Web MD,? she said. ?We have a normal group of kids, about 80. At this point, the club is open, the area is disinfected and signs are posted for the parents.?
Diane McCoy, director of operations for the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada, said the organization contacted the Nevada State Health Division. She said health officials made no other recommendations than what the club was already doing.
?Swine flu has a three-day incubation period,? McCoy said. ?The child was sick on Friday, and we got the confirmation back of what it was.?
McCoy said she expects the patient to be absent for a while.
?The child is recovering nicely, and no longer needs hospitalization,? she said.
Rich Alexander, director of human resources for the school district, said the district supports the actions taken by the Boys & Girls Club.
?However, since we are the facility provider, we are providing additional support to them through custodial staff to ensure things are clean and disinfected,? he said.