NY: Rockland Co. sixth grader dies from bacterial meningitis- rare form

[Shiloh]

Source: http://rivertowns.patch.com/articles...ial-meningitis

Sixth Grader At St. Gregory?s School Died From Bacterial Meningitis
12-year-old girl died Sunday, 33 people receive antibiotics

By Dina Sciortino
Email the author
3:01 pm

An unidentified 12-year-old student at St. Gregory Barbarigo School died Sunday of bacterial meningitis. The girl, who was in the sixth grade, was a Spring Valley resident. Thirty-three students, teachers and family members who were believed to have close contact with her have been advised to receive antibiotic treatment...

[Shiloh]

Re: NY: Rockland Co. sixth grader dies from bacterial meningitis- rare form

Source: http://www.lohud.com/article/2013041...nclick_check=1


Meningitis that killed Spring Valley girl was rare form
Expert says death couldn't have been prevented
Apr 11, 2013 |
Written by
Jane Lerner

The form of bacterial meningitis that killed a 12-year-old Spring Valley girl nearly two weeks ago was so rare that it likely couldn?t have been prevented, a health official said Thursday.

Chrissy Gabriel was infected with a streptococcal form of bacterial meningitis, said Dr. Anil Vaidian, an infectious-disease specialist and acting medical director of the Rockland Department of Health.

That type of meningitis is so unusual that it causes less than 3 percent of bacterial meningitis deaths, he said. The strain that she had was not Streptococcus pneumoniae, a more common cause of bacterial meningitis...

[jeffrey]

Re: NY: Rockland Co. sixth grader dies from bacterial meningitis- rare form

The Health Dept. states she started with conjuctivitis and has this rare form of meningitis. Odd that many of the cases in China with H379 start with that as well! Wonder if this is a coincidence. They obviously knew what strain she had. It was just a thought, as we do not know what is really going on and where this disease has gone! Just my opinion.

[Emily]

Re: NY: Rockland Co. sixth grader dies from bacterial meningitis- rare form

Good observation about the conjunctivitis, jeffrey.

The form of streptococcal bacteria that likely entered the girl’s bloodstream and traveled to the covering of her brain normally lives harmless in the mouth. It is different from the type that causes strep throat.

They found no lesions or dental problems in the girl's mouth that could explain how the bacteria got into her bloodstream and then the meninges. But I wonder if the conjunctivitis could have opened an ocular pathway? (Rubbing an itchy eye.)

[jeffrey]

Re: NY: Rockland Co. sixth grader dies from bacterial meningitis- rare form

Emily, I am not an MD, but that could be a true route of infection, as well.

Dependent on how much she touched her eyes or rubbed them. Very sad story!

Thanks for the input!