Test results show no indication of bacterial meningitis Tuesday
Craig — Test results for the two teens who presented with possible meningitis symptoms this weekend have shown no indication of bacterial meningitis, according to TMH Chief of Marketing and Business Development Jennifer Riley.
“It’s looking like everything is negative for bacterial meningitis,” Riley said, noting however that the hospital would give the cultures one more day to make doubly sure. Nonetheless, she said, “There’s no public health concern.”
Tests for meningitis typically take about 48 hours to show accurate results. A 14-year-old and 15-year-old were both transported to Children’s Hospital in Denver Sunday after visiting TMH with symptoms similar to meningitis. A nine-month-old was also thought to have similar symptoms.
Director of Public Health Charity Neal with Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association also confirmed that no cases of meningitis have been reported in Moffat County as of Tuesday evening.
Bacterial meningitis, which can be caused multiple strains of bacteria, is the only form that is reportable as a public health concern, according to Neal. Viral meningitis tends to be less severe and is not considered a public health concern.
Moffat County School District Registered Nurse Karie Fisher also said that as of Monday, no other students have come forward with symptoms nor have been tested for meningitis to her knowledge.
MCSD responded to parents’ concerns Monday with a five-page newsletter detailing risk factors, symptoms, how the infection is transmitted and preventative measures.
“The most effective way to protect you and your child against certain types of bacterial meningitis is to complete the recommended vaccine schedule,” according to the newsletter.
Neal said the VNA has been receiving lots of calls from parents checking up on their children’s vaccination records. Vaccinations are available for three types of bacteria that cause meningitis.
As of Tuesday evening, one of the teens admitted to Children’s Hospital had been discharged, but they had no record of the other, according to the hospital.
Contact Lauren Blair at 970-875-1794 or lblair@CraigDailyPress.com.
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