Public Health Meningitis Notifications Completed
Earlier a case of Bacterial Meningitis was confirmed in Humboldt. The Department of Health and Human Services issued an updated press release below.
Public Health officials have completed direct notification of all individuals who may have come into close contact with a student who tested positive yesterday for bacterial meningitis.
Local medical providers have also been alerted, and medical practices have been notified of any patients in their practice who may need antibiotics to prevent the disease.
Humboldt County Health Officer Donald Baird said, “Although contagious by close or intimate contact, meningitis is not considered as contagious as other illnesses, such as influenza or the common cold.”The California Department of Public Health states that meningococcal disease can be spread by contact with oral secretions such as kissing an infected person or sharing toothbrushes or utensils.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include sudden fever, severe headache and stiff neck. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, confusion and increased sensitivity to light.
“Up to 10 percent of normal, healthy individuals are asymptomatic carriers of the bacteria,” Dr. Baird said. “How isolated cases occur in the community is unknown.”
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Thank you. This answered some of my questions. Even if the answer was they don’t know how the student got it.
I’m curious why they had to send the child out of the area for treatment.
My daughter had bacterial meningitis back in 1984 . She was treated at Redwood Memorial Hospital, Fortuna, by Dr. Mogel, for ten days.
Seems like our hospitals should be as good now as they were then. What’s going on?
Patients are placed in hospitals by availability of beds and physicians. Here in Humboldt, skilled doctors, and hospital beds are limited, especially in Summer! This patient may have had insurance that required a stay in a different area.
Hope this helps!
In the U.S., three meningococcal vaccines are available: Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4), sold as Menomune. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), sold as Menactra, MenHibrix, and Menveo. Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, sold as Trumenba and Bexsero.
Probably NOT for you anti-science anti-vaxxers! It’s OK, if YOUR kids get sick, they probably won’t die!