Boy Dies Of Meningitis, Grandfather Speaks Out

Is bacterial meningitis an emerging infectious disease? With the decline in Hib disease, cases of bacterial Hospital knew first,before the school.Health dept should have been notified.From the beginning. meningitis have decreased since 1986. Meningococcal meningitis is a continuing threat in day-care centers and schools. Healthy children and young adults are susceptible, and death can occur within a few hours of onset.

VIRAL MENINGITIS is usually relatively mild. It clears up within a week or two without specific treatment. Viral meningitis is also called aseptic meningitis. BACTERIAL MENINGITIS is much more serious. It can cause severe disease that can result in brain damage and even death. Disease reporting -- Cases of bacterial meningitis should be reported to state or local health authorities so that they can follow and treat close contacts of patients and recognize outbreaks. Where can I find more information about bacterial meningitis? http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/bactmen.htm

News travels Health officials should have spoke up sooner. (CNN) -- Authorities are investigating six possible cases of bacterial meningitis -- including two deaths -- in rural Oklahoma elementary school students. The Rogers County Health Department and Oklahoma State Department of Health said two children from Oologah-Talala public school district have died from the disease. One of them was an 8-year-old, said Superintendent Rick Thomas. Thomas said school was canceled Friday for the district. "We just feel like we would rather err on the side of caution," he said, although he has urged parents to remain calm. The state health board said it was providing antibiotics to the schools to help prevent the spread of meningococcal disease -- caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis -- which can appear as pneumonia, septicemia or meningitis. Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the meninges, the thin lining that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A medical team at Oologah Lower Elementary School screened more than 100 people including faculty, CNN affiliate KOTV reported. Authorities said the team is offering antibiotics to other students and faculty in the district, and there is enough medication for about 1,000 people, the affiliate reported. Last year, 16 cases of meningococcal disease were reported in Oklahoma and one person died, the board said. Symptoms of meningococcal disease may appear two to 10 days after infection, but typically within three to four days, the state board said. People ill with meningococcal septicemia may have fever, nausea, vomiting and a rash, it said. Those with meningitis will have fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting and a stiff neck. "It is important to seek care from a physician as soon as possible if these symptoms appear," the board said. Oologah is about 30 miles northeast of Tulsa

Absolutely, my sister-in-law was not told at all that there is possible meningitis. If she had been told, then Angela and Chris would have known the symptoms of what to look for or even take him to the doctor that day(wednesday). Time is very critical with this disease and that time and our precious baby along with Sauache, may have at least helped them. Love, Prayers, and comfort go out to the other families.

"wouldn't send out a letter for a rumor." The parents of the children sent home wendsday sick were not warned by this nurse of the possibility of meningitis even though the students were from the same class. A communication from a direct parent is not a rumor.

I love you dad! Continuing prayers for the other families, always on my mind. Love you Andrew!