Health District Calls Meningococcal Alert

Wed., June 7, 2000

From Staff

The Southwest Washington Health District was alerting people Tuesday to the death of a Heritage High School student from meningococcal disease.

The health district warned students who had been in close contact with the ninth-grader, his household members and members of the school staff.

The boy died Sunday; his name has not been released.

The chances of catching the disease are low for people who had only casual contact with the student, said Dr. Karen Steingart, health officer for the Southwest Washington Health District.

Steingart said those at risk can receive four doses of an antibiotic, taken twice a day for two days.

Meningococcal disease can be an infection of the bloodstream or of the meninges, a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord. Its symptoms include a sudden fever, intense headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck and discomfort.

An important sign of the disease is an outbreak of a reddish pinpoint rash or purple blotches.

It is caused by a bacterium that lives in the nose and throat. It is spread by the exchange of throat and nose secretions, through kissing, coughing or sharing drinks or food.

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