As students joined their parents to return home from Burns Science and Technology Charter School in Oak Hill, some did so following a warning from the administration sent in the early afternoon. Part of the text read: “I am writing to inform you that there has been a confirmed case of meningitis in Year 4. This does not affect any other classes, but as we prepare for the weekend. Please take precautions.Please be careful.” to your child. ” What the message didn’t say was that a fourth-grade boy died this week from meningitis, according to the Volusia County Division of the Florida Department of Health. Staff and administrators declined to comment, but Albert Amalfitano, the charter school’s board president, told WESH 2 News by phone. We are taking all necessary precautions to protect our fellow students,” Amalfitano said. Parents of fifth-grader Trey Solms were asked what their concerns were about this. He replied: Please be very careful. And I hope everyone is safe. ” Some parents questioned why the school held a large event on campus Thursday night, given that both viral and bacterial infections can be spread through close contact. I was thinking. I don’t know the details because there was no detailed explanation. “We don’t know when this child got sick,” said her parent, Crystal Hogg. “The Boy Who Died. She told his grandfather that the boy came home Tuesday with abdominal pain. He passed away either Tuesday or late Wednesday. Although this is a charter school, it is part of the Volusia County District School Network. is sending counselors to schools, and for many students and some teachers, this is the first time they’re dealing with someone’s death, Jessica McIntyre, the district’s mental health services coordinator, told WESH 2 News. “When it comes to therapy, we don’t want to push them, but we want to get their questions answered as best we can and feel comfortable talking to someone at school and someone at home.” Symptoms of meningitis most often include fever, severe headache (especially one that gets worse over time), confusion, vomiting, and stiffness in the neck. Because meningitis is usually transmitted through close contact, such as kissing or hugging, the health department believes the majority of students and staff at Barnes were infected. Science and technology charter schools are not at high risk. There are three vaccines to prevent meningitis, but they may not be effective if a child or adult has already been infected. Meningitis is a scary word, especially for parents. But the doctor says: “For now, parents should not fear, but be more cautious. “A child can go from feeling fine with maybe a little fever to becoming fatally ill within hours. It’s very, very scary,” said Dr. Todd Hastie, Seminole County Emergency Medicine Director. Dr. Hastie explains how quickly meningitis can affect a person’s body. “This was a sudden case where we suddenly found out we had meningitis at school,” Hastie said. This case prompted public health authorities to determine who the child had come into contact with and begin treatment. “The cloud is that we’re so good at treating meningitis that we only have three days to treat it,” Hastie said. Public health authorities will typically notify anyone who was near the person or the child, and they will receive immediate treatment. Antibiotics. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection that affects the spine or brain. “It’s very difficult to stop the infection once it starts, but you take the pill before it starts. “It could be one, it could be two,” Hastie said. Teenagers and people going to college or joining the military are good candidates to get vaccinated. However, it is not recommended for children under 10 years of age unless there are health concerns. Because right now, if a child has a fever, we give them acetaminophen and then we watch them for a few hours to make sure the fever goes down and it’s not getting worse because the symptoms progress quickly. “,” says one parent. If you have questions, contact your doctor, health department, or visit your local clinic.Top headlines: Volusia County student dies from meningitis Lightning strikes mother dies, family sues Seminole County school district, board Measles outbreak at South Florida elementary school sparks community health concerns
As students joined their parents to return home from Burns Science and Technology Charter School in Oak Hill, some did so following a warning from the administration sent in the early afternoon.
Part of the text read: “I am writing to inform you that there has been a confirmed case of meningitis in Year 4. This does not affect any other classes, but as we prepare for the weekend. Please take precautions.Please be careful.” to your child. ”
What the message doesn’t say is that a fourth-grade boy died this week from meningitis, according to the Volusia County Division of the Florida Department of Health.
Staff and administrators declined to comment, but Albert Amalfitano, the charter school’s board president, told WESH 2 News by phone.
“We are deeply shaken by this and feel terrible for this boy’s family. We are taking every precaution necessary to protect our fellow students.” Amalfitano said.
Parents of fifth-grader Trey Solms were asked what their concerns were about this.
He replied: “I just hope everyone is safe. This is something we have to be very careful about. And I hope everyone is safe.”
Some parents questioned why the school held a large event on campus Thursday night, even though both viral and bacterial infections can be spread through close contact. thought.
“It happened last night, so that’s my biggest concern. I don’t know the details because they didn’t give me a lot of details. I don’t know when this child got sick,” said parent Crystal. Hogg said.
Related: Measles outbreak at South Florida elementary school raises local health concerns
The grandfather of several students at the school told WESH 2 News that one of his grandchildren was in the same class as the boy who died.
She told the grandfather that the boy had come home with abdominal pain on Tuesday.
He died late Tuesday or Wednesday.
Although it is a charter school, it is part of the Volusia County District School Network, which provides counselors to schools.
For many students and some teachers, this is the first time they have come face-to-face with someone’s death.
Jessica McIntyre, the district’s mental health services coordinator, told WESH 2 News: They feel safe and comfortable when they can talk to someone, whether it’s someone at school or someone at home. ”
Symptoms of meningitis often include fever, severe headache, especially one that gets worse over time, confusion, vomiting, and stiff neck.
Because meningitis is generally spread through close contact, such as kissing or hugging, the health department believes the majority of Barnes Science and Technology Charter School students and staff are not at high risk.
There are three vaccines to prevent meningitis, but they may not be effective if a child or adult has already been infected.
Meningitis is a scary word, especially for parents.
But doctors say parents shouldn’t fear at this time. Just more cautious.
“A child can go from being fine with maybe a mild fever to dying within a few hours. That’s very, very scary,” Seminole County Emergency Medicine Director Dr. Todd Hastie said. .
Hastie explains how quickly meningitis affects a person’s body.
“There’s usually one case at a sentinel. It’s a case that pops up suddenly, and you suddenly realize you have meningitis in your school,” Hastie said.
The incident prompted public health authorities to determine who the child had come into contact with and begin treatment.
“The only silver lining is that we are so good at treating meningitis that the treatment period is only three days,” Hastie said.
Public health authorities usually notify the person or anyone who was near the child and immediately administer antibiotics.
Meningitis is usually caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection of the spine or brain.
“Once the infection starts, it’s very difficult to stop, but before the infection starts, you need a pill. One or two pills,” Hastie says.
Teenagers and people going to college or joining the military are good candidates to get vaccinated.
However, it is not recommended for children under 10 years of age unless there are health concerns.
“Right now, if your child has a fever, give them acetaminophen, watch them for a few hours to make sure the fever goes down and it doesn’t get worse because symptoms develop quickly. ”
Parents with questions should contact their doctor, health department, or visit their local clinic.
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