The ten-year-old girl who died early today of apparent meningococcal infection is identified as Keameria Scruggs of Antioch.
A car containing Keameria, her father and her mother (the driver) was stopped for speeding and a blown headlight on West End Avenue at 4:08 a.m. They were on the way to Vanderbilt. The officer discovered that Keameria was not breathing, had no pulse, and called for an ambulance. The ambulance arrived at 4:12 a.m. She was rushed to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and pronounced dead.
Since the diagnosis of meningococcal infection, public safety personnel involved in this case early today have been given medication as a precaution.
CONTACT: Brian Todd, Metro Public Health Department, 340-2153
Metro Public Health Department Investigates
Fatal Case of Suspected Meningococcal Infection (meningitis)
in Margaret Allen Middle School Student
NASHVILLE, Tenn., February 13, 2008 -- The Metro Public Health Department is investigating a fatal case of suspected meningococcal infection (meningitis) in a student at Margaret Allen Middle School. The suspected case was reported to the Health Department today.
The Health Department and Metro Davidson County Public Schools sent a letter home with students at the school this afternoon to notify parents about the suspected infection.
Meningococcal disease is a rare but often serious bacterial infection. High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take one or two days.
It is possible for the bacteria that cause meningococcal infection to spread from person to person through saliva-sharing contact such as kissing, coughing or sneezing directly in the face, or sharing utensils.
The Meningococcal bacteria are not as easy to catch as viruses that cause the common cold or the flu. These bacteria do not live on surfaces and they are not spread by breathing the air where a person with the illness has been or by sitting in the same classroom or bus.
Medication to reduce the chances of infection is recommended only for people who have had saliva-sharing contact. This includes family members and other close contacts that might share food, beverages, or eating utensils.
Metro Public Health Department staff members are conducting an investigation to identify if there are those who would require the medication.
To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, common sense should be used. Frequent hand washing is important. Cover nose and mouth with tissues when coughing or sneezing. Avoid sharing eating utensils, toothbrushes, cups, drinking glasses, or water bottles.
Health Department staff will be available at Margaret Allen Middle School tomorrow and Friday to answer parent’s questions.
The Health Department’s Director of Health will be available this afternoon and tomorrow for interviews at the Lentz Health Center, 311 23rd Ave. North
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Dear Parent:
This letter is to inform you that a case of suspected meningococcal meningitis has been reported in a student at Margaret Allen Middle School.
Bacterial meningitis is a rare but often serious infection. High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take one to two days.
Sometimes the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis can spread from person to person. The bacteria are spread through close, saliva-sharing contact such as kissing, direct coughing, sneezing in the face, or sharing utensils.
The bacteria that cause meningitis are NOT as easy to catch as viruses that cause the common cold or the flu. These bacteria DO NOT live on surfaces and they are not spread by breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been -- or by sitting near a person in the same classroom or on a bus.
Medication to reduce the chances of infection is recommended only for people who have close, saliva-sharing contact with a person who is infected. This includes family members and other close contacts of the child that might share food, beverages, or eating utensils.
We know that as a parent you are concerned about any special risks to your own children. If your child develops any illness with a high fever then please contact your doctor or health care provider. If the fever is accompanied by any other of the symptoms described above—stiff neck, behavioral changes, rash—do not delay in seeking care.
The best prevention for any illness is to practice careful hand washing at home, and to avoid close contact with people who are ill.
The Health Department recognizes you might have questions about the illness. Health Department staff will be available at Margaret Allen Middle School on Thursday, February 14th, and Friday, February 15th to answer you questions. If you would like to contact a Health Department representative by telephone you may call 593-1270.
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