Update Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. BREAKING — Health Department officials confirm with Guthrie News Page the elementary student believed to have meningitis does not have the virus.
Original Story on 10-15-2014
Officials from the Guthrie Public School System and the Logan County Health Department were informed late yesterday that a student at Guthrie Upper Elementary School was diagnosed with meningitis.
“While this can be upsetting, public health officials have informed us that their investigation does not suggest the child’s illness is an infectious disease that puts the general public, including students, teachers, and other employees at risk,” Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson said in a letter.
Due to privacy concerns, nothing further can be released about the student or the student’s condition at this time.
Simpson says a letter will be sent home with each student throughout the district on Wednesday.
The letter does not indicate if the student has been diagnosed with the viral or bacterial meningitis. However, multiple sources tell Guthrie News Page the student has been diagnosed with the viral infection.
Last year, in October, a Guthrie student was diagnosed with the viral meningitis. Related story: Student treated for meningitis recovering at home
According to public health officials, meningitis is a rare disease that can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection. It is spread by contact with the discharges from the nose or throat of an infected person, and are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. On the reverse side of this letter is a fact sheet about meningitis provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Although the risk of infection from other students is quite low, parents are advised to be alert for signs of meningitis. The symptoms of meningitis may include some of the following: fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, and being disoriented or confused. If your child develops some of these symptoms, please contact your child’s health care provider immediately.
Hand hygiene is the single most important action to prevent the spread of infections to others and yourself. It is always advised to practice good hygiene habits, such as covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, throwing away used tissues, washing hands often, and not sharing personal items.
If you have any questions, you are urged to contact the Logan County Health Department at 405‐282‐3485 or your family physician.
Be the first to comment on "Guthrie elementary student not diagnosed with meningitis"