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2010-03-06 04:20:11 - Epidemic Hazard - Canada EDIS CODE: EH-20100306-25215-CAN
Date & Time: 2010-03-06 04:20:11 [UTC]
Area: Canada, Province of Canada, St. Mary’s High School, Calgary Number of Infected person(s): 1
Not confirmed information! Description: Alberta Health Services has confirmed a case of meningococcal disease in a student at St. Mary’s High School. The student is now recovering in hospital. Letters have been sent home to parents advising them of the case and urging them not to panic. Alberta Health Services says the risk of spreading the infection is very low. "There is no risk to the student or staff population at this point but we still wanted to let parents know what was transpiring so they weren't hearing any misinformation at the school", says Janet Corsten from the Calgary Catholic School Division. Ten other students who came into close contact with the infected student have received antibiotics as a preventative measure. Meningococcal disease is an infection of the spinal fluid or blood. Symptoms include severe headache, vomitting, neck stiffness, fever, rash and confusion. Those suffering from it often require hospitalization, and it can be fatal. The disease is spread through the sharing of saliva, which can happen through direct contact with infected individuals, or indirect contact such as sharing a water bottle or lip-chap. Officials recommend all Calgarians take precautions, since very few are actually immune to the disease. Even those who took part in the 2001 vaccination campaign, which was prompted by an outbreak of the disease, may no longer have immunity to the disease.
The name of Hazard: Meningococcal meningitis
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