Meningitis not problem in El Paso, health officials say

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Meningitis not problem in El Paso, health officials say

El Paso Times - El Paso,TX*

By Tammy Fonce-Olivas / El Paso Times

04/19/2008

http://www.elpasotimes.com/health/ci_8977260

Health officials say that despite a recent scare in far East El

Paso, the community doesn't have a problem with meningitis, a

condition that causes swelling around a person's spinal cord and

brain and can be contagious, even deadly, according to the nation's

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

" Meningitis is not an epidemic in El Paso, " said Dr. Bobby ,

deputy director of community health for the city's public health

department.

said health officials began looking into the possibility of a

meningitis outbreak at Clint High School after being informed that

an administrator from the campus was suspected of having meningitis.

An assistant principal at the campus went home sick March 31. The

educator died April 1, said Cade, Clint Independent School

District spokeswoman.

Her cause of death is not public record. However, health and school

officials said she did not have a communicable disease.

" She passed away from something other than (meningitis), " Cade said.

April 1, a letter was sent home with students of Clint High School,

reassuring parents that their children were not at risk of

contracting viral or bacterial meningitis. April 3, the district had

a meeting to allow the parents to share their concerns with local

public health officials. About 40 parents attended.

said the concerns of the Clint parents were understandable

because people get " frightened to death " when they hear meningitis.

There many forms of meningitis, which are usually caused by viruses,

bacteria or fungi. However, other factors, such as an existing

illness, may also lead to the condition.

Viral meningitis is serious but rarely fatal in people with normal

immune systems, according to the CDC. Bacterial and fungal

meningitis infections are more serious and can be deadly if not

treated promptly.

The city's health department reports that it confirmed five cases of

meningitis through March 31, which is lower than usual for this time

of year.

Of the cases reported, three were viral meningitis, also known as

aseptic meningitis, and two were bacterial meningitis. During the

same period last year the city's health department confirmed four

viral meningitis cases, six bacterial meningitis cases and one

fungal meningitis case.

In 2007, the city reported a total of 53 meningitis cases -- 37 were

viral, 13 were bacterial and three were fungal.

The symptoms for viral, bacterial and fungal meningitis are usually

the same and include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, bright

lights hurting the eyes, drowsiness or confusion, nausea and

vomiting.

Health officials said anyone who suspects that he or she may have

meningitis should consult a doctor.

Viruses causing meningitis are most often spread through the

exchange of respiratory or throat secretions, the CDC said. Good

personal hygiene can help reduce chances of infection.

There is also a vaccine that helps to prevent meningococcal disease,

a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children in the United

States. Health officials recommend the vaccine for children ages 11

and older.

The El Paso Times city desk may be reached at 546-6135.