Arcata High Athlete Diagnosed With Serious Illness Passed Away

Everett Halikas and friend [Photo from his GoFundMe page]

Everett Halikas had a form of bacterial meningitis known as meningococcal disease. The County Department of Health and Human Services earlier today advised parents at Arcata High in a press release “to be alert for signs of meningococcal disease.” But, they said, “[T]he risk of another student becoming ill is extremely low.”

To calm fears and answer questions that are concerning the community, Dr. Teresa Frankovich, Humboldt County’s Public Health Officer, spoke to us this afternoon. “We understand the concerns in the community,” she said.

She told us that she is recommending that those who had very close contact with people who have this disease–particularly those who share a household or “share oral secretions” usually by sharing drinks, foods, kisses or cigarettes–should consult their doctor and discuss taking an antibiotic medicine with their doctor.

If the contact with the person carrying the disease which is also known as Neisseria meningitidis is more than 14 days old though, she said not to be concerned about it.

She responded to concerns some parents expressed about their child getting the illness from the school by stating, “Unlike some illnesses, we really aren’t concerned with surfaces.” She reiterated that “sharing oral secretions” was the main concern. She did caution though, “We do sometimes look at sports teams. We do take that into consideration…[Parents] can talk to their health care provider or they can call us.”

Because of rumors spreading through the community, Frankovich wanted to assure us that “this child has a diagnosis that is unrelated to COVID-19. This is a bacteria not a virus.”

When asked about another child who got seriously ill in the last month that people has expressed concerns about believing this might be a pattern, she said said should couldn’t for privacy reasons discuss in depth individual cases.  However, she stated firmly, “There is no second case relationship to this case. This is a reportable disease. If there is another case of Neisseria meningitidis, I would know and I have no concerns at this time.”

Frankovich urged parents to think about vaccinating. “Meningococcal disease is a preventable disease. It is a very preventable illness…Remind parents that the opportunity is there to vaccinate.”

When asked if she knew where the student had contracted the disease, she said there’s been no identified source.

“We are all thinking about this family,” she said in an interview which occurred early this afternoon. “The family has requested that they be given privacy.”

The update on Everett Halikas’ GoFundMe stated,

Everett’s family would like to thank family, friends, and the community, for the overwhelming outpouring of support, well-wishes, and prayer during this incredibly difficult time. It means so much to Everett’s entire family that so many people cared about him and rallied for him, continuing to pray for a miracle.

Everett’s family would also like to express their sincere gratitude to everyone from Humboldt County and around the nation who have contributed to Everett’s Go Fund Me account. The response has been truly inspiring and is a powerful testament to the amazing quality of Everett’s spirit and character.

To read the whole update, click here.

Earlier Chapters:

• Arcata High School Student Seriously Ill After Contracting What Is Believed to Be Acute Viral Encephalitis
• Local Residents Raise $20,000 for Arcata Football Player on Life Support With Acute Viral Encephalitis
• Parents Advised to Be Alert After Extremely Ill Arcata High Student Now Diagnosed With Bacterial Meningitis