Illness kills Lawrence County boy Lawrence County, Ohio, Jan. 23rd - The recent death of another area boy that may have been caused by meningitis has some residents concerned about their own health.

For the second time in just a month, an area boy may have fallen victim to meningitis. Doctors say 12-year-old Robbie Green died over the weekend after he was life-flighted to a Pittsburgh hospital. Green was a fifth grade student at Laurel Elementary School. Parents and students are worried about the recent cases of meningitis. Health officials agree that the deaths occurring so close together is unusual, but they insist there is no reason to panic. I mean, close face-to-face contact that they would be getting respiratory droplets in their faces or drinking out of the same drinking cup or water bottle are those who need to be concerned and seek medical attention, says Nancy Gibson of Jameson Hospital. It is estimated that one in 4 people carry the meningitis bug every winter, but most are able to fight off the infection. Meningitis is a deadly infection that normally affects people under 30 years old. Experts say symptoms of the illness are similar to the flu or a severe cold and can include headaches, severe stiffness in the neck, nausea, vomiting, or a sensitivity to light. Those who suffer from these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. A public hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday night for concerned Lawrency County students and parents. A panel of health care specialists will also be on hand to answer questions about meningitis. The meeting will be held at Laurel Elementary School.

-- Vern (bacon17@ibm.net), January 24, 2000

Answers

Yes, it is tragic, but it happens every winter. A few people die of meningitis - often children. One of those tragic things in life.

-- Sheri (wncy2k@nccn.net), January 24, 2000.

I'm a nurse. Yes, it is tragic, but it happens every winter. A few people die of meningitis - often children. One of those tragic things in life.

-- Sheri (wncy2k@nccn.net), January 24, 2000.

This illness report from our neck of the woods has me concerned...Station Home Page & More Local Information

Monte Marchand Jr. ended up in intensive care, but should be out of the hospital shortly.

Ten cases of rare disease confirmed

SEATTLE, January 23  Doctors in Eastern Washington are tracking a rise in cases of the so-called flesh-eating bacteria. Ten cases of the rare disease have been confirmed in little more than a year, including five since just early December.

STREPTOCOCCUS-A usually just causes sore throats, but occasionally produces toxins which can be deadly. A 12-year-old Nespelem boy nearly died from the disease before doctors at a Spokane hospital got it under control. His initial symptoms included a fever, cough and headache. It kind of started to hurt, and when Id walk, it felt like I could barely walk, and I didnt know what was going on with me, said patient Monte Marchand Jr. I didnt want anything bad to happen to him, like they say, 20-30 years ago, they would have taken the hand and the leg, they would have cut it off, said Carla Marchand, his mother. Monte spent a week in intensive care, but should be getting out of the hospital in a few days.

Doctors with the Centers for Disease Control said the number of serious strep cases is going up because the worst strains apparently are rapidly evolving and are becoming more toxic. Doctors dont know why. The latest victim is a 43-year-old Spokane man who was in critical condition Friday following surgery to amputate a leg due to tissue damage caused by streptococcal toxic shock. That condition and necrotizing fasciitis are two diseases commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria that are caused by group A streptococcus, a common bacterium. Bacteria that cause streptococcal toxic shock typically penetrate the skin and destroy the victims tissues from within. The condition kills 60 to 80 percent of its victims. A 54-year-old Newport woman ended up in the emergency room at Deaconess Dec. 3 with necrotizing fasciitis before she was moved to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle 11 days later. Two other Eastern Washington residents  a 51-year-old Yakima woman and a 41-year-old Wenatchee man  also are suffering from strep A- related diseases. They were in serious condition Friday at Harborview. Strep A-related diseases also killed two Tacoma men within the past two months, and five Spokane-area women died between January and March last year. Although Washington state does not track the numbers of those infected by the disease, the federal Centers for Disease Control estimates 500 to 1,500 cases occur in the nation each year. Its not known what makes the bacterium so vicious once it penetrates the bodys tissues. Theories include a more virulent strain of strep or an ordinary bug taking advantage of a weakened immune system. Early warning signs can include a high fever; severe muscle pain; an increasingly painful cut or scratch; diarrhea, dizziness and weakness; and intense thirst. If detected early, the disease can be halted by antibiotics and the damaged tissues pared away.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

-- RAT (eyesopen@watcher.com), January 24, 2000.

Vern, menningittis outbreaks occur each winter. If you hear "Western Nile-like encephallitis" then duck and cover. Anyone remember the medical term they gave to the western nile outbreak?

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 24, 2000.