OUTBREAK OF MENINGITIS IN CALIFORNIA

The meningitis outbreak that has been plaguing Texas has made it to California. Massive vaccinations are being planned... just like Texas.

The woman in Canada who has ebola-like symptoms may actually have meningitis.

When Liza Minelli was hopitalized with a swelling of the brain many people wondered if it was caused by a mosquito. (Remember the story that RMNews ran about Iraq using mosquitos as biological weapons.) Thinking that Liza's problems were caused by mosquitos was a good guess, but what she actually had was meningitis caused by the herpes virus.

The meningitis cases in California are mainly bacteriological, but viral meningitis is also showing up.

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http://www.sacbee.com/news/news/local03_20010208.html

Bacterial disease kills Folsom girl --

Death is second in area in 2001

http://www.sacbee.com/news/beelive/show_story.cgi?folsom

Mass preventive treatment planned at Folsom High on Friday

Updated: Feb. 8, 2001 - 5:29 p.m.

The Sacramento County Health Department is asking students and staff at Folsom High School to agree to take preventive medicine for a meningitis-related disease after it was found two recent deaths are connected, according to information released Thursday.

The action follows the second death this year of a Folsom High student from a meningococcal disease.

A third student is suspected of having the disease, but the case was not reported in time to verify the ailment. The third student recovered.

Health officials are asking parents to give signed permission for students to take the drug Cipro in one oral dose on Friday, according to a news release from the county and a note sent home with students.

The note was sent home before health officials confirmed the two deaths are connected.

The mass treatment is necessary to “avoid ‘ping-ponging’ of the organism between people who might take" the drug at different times, the note to parents said.

Health officials said tests show both students died from the same type of the disease.

The note also said the antibiotics are only effective for a few days so “100 percent participation” is needed for maximum effectiveness.

A 17-year-old girl who attended the school died Wednesday from meningococcal disease.

Tanya Edsall’s death prompted a full-fledged investigation by county health officials.

Edsall died early Wednesday at Mercy Folsom Hospital of meningococcemia, a bacterial blood infection related to meningitis. Her death follows the Jan. 7 death of Folsom High student Robert Karle, 18.

-- Bee Metro Staff