Meningitis suspected in death of Charles Best
Canadian Press
A suspected case of meningitis may have claimed the life of a Grade 10 student.
Jeff Johnstone, vice-principal of Charles Best secondary, said the student was on the school rugby team and played lacrosse in the community.
“Yesterday morning we received sad news from the family that an active, well-liked Grade 10 boy passed away yesterday morning in Royal Columbian hospital,” Johnstone told Global TV on Wednesday.
“It was a really tough day yesterday for the staff and the students and our thoughts are going out to his close friends and family and hoping they get through this time.”
Tests have not yet confirmed the cause of death but as a precaution medical health officials met with students, parents and the sports team to identify any close contacts.
“We’re particularly looking for screening and providing preventive antibiotics to those who may have in the last 10 days had saliva-sharing contact,” said medical health officer Dr. Larry Gustafson.
Health experts say at this time there’s nothing to suggest any increased risk for staff or students who had casual contact with the teen. They have received an advisory to watch for any symptoms of infection.
“We have noted some specific things but one doesn’t necessarily want to wait for some of the later things,” Gustafson said.
“So we’ve talked about things like generally feeling unwell, fever, headache, nausea, sometimes severe leg pain and things like that.”
Meningitis is a sometimes-fatal viral or bacterial illness that causes inflammation around the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal chord. It can follow an ear or sinus infection or a viral illness.
Signs and symptoms include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting.
http://www.canada.com/globaltv/bc/index.html
