FAIRMONT — Health officials have confirm ed a case of meningitis at the state 4-H camp at Jackson’s Mill.
At this time, the 14-year-old camper remains at Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Weston.
Health officials have confirmed the girl has meningitis, yet tests to determine if it’s viral or the more serious bacterial form won’t be completed until today.
The tests reportedly take 48 hours.
Ann Bailey Berry, West Virginia University Extension Service communications officer, said doctors believe the girl has viral meningitis.
She was participating in a statewide 4-H camp older members conference, Berry said. About 300 4-H’ers representing every county in West Virginia are participating in the camp.
This is the first reported case of meningitis at a WVU Extension 4-H camp in the more than 80 years of camping across the state, she said.
According to Berry, the girl awakened Tuesday morning with severe flu-like symptoms. The cabin counselor took the girl to the camp nurse, who transported her to the hospital.
Camp staff met throughout the day, alerting campers in the afternoon. The children were then directed to call their parents to make them aware of the situation, Berry said.
A hotline was set up at Jackson’s Mill so parents could speak to camp officials with questions. About a dozen parents utilized the hotline Tuesday, Berry said.
Only one child left the camp because of the incident, Berry said.
“I’m very proud of the campers and their parents,” Berry said.
She noted the WVU Extension Service has emergency and risk-management plans that went into effect as soon as the girl was transported from camp.
“This was a situation where we put all off those things into action,” Berry said. “Our immediate concern was for the health and safety of the campers and volunteers. Additionally, we quickly thought about Jackson’s Mill staff and local community.”
The cabin she stayed in was thoroughly cleaned and the girl’s belongings were removed, Berry said.
She noted the camp staff has been in close contact with staff at Stonewall Jackson Hospital and the Lewis County Health Department. The vast resources of WVU are also at the camp’s disposal. An infectious disease specialist from the WVU School of Medicine has been monitoring progress at the camp.
Symptoms of meningitis include a combination of stiff neck, severe headache, high fever, nausea and sore throat. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the three thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.
For more information, contact the county health department or family physician. Additional information about meningitis can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm
E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.
In Today's TWV
June 21, 2007
Meningitis case confirmed in area
4-H’er falls ill at Jackson’s Mill
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