January 24, 2008

Meningococcal Disease Confirmed in Massapequa Student

The Nassau County Department of Health has been informed that a 17-year old Massapequa High School student was diagnosed with Meningococcal Meningitis and died today. He was a senior who played on the St. Rose of Lima  CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) basketball league and worked part-time as a stock boy at the local King Kullen Supermarket on Merrick Road in Massapequa Park.

The Health Department is notifying those individuals who have been identified as close contacts with the student and advising them of the need for preventive treatment.  Persons who worked or shopped in the grocery store do not need preventive treatment nor do those who may have had casual contact in a classroom or office.

Every individual identified as having shared food, drink, eating utensils or a beverage container, such as a water bottle, or exchanged oral secretions or had any similar exposure with the student between January 13th and January 23rd, 2008, should contact his/her health care provider immediately to receive preventive antibiotic treatment.

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection of the bloodstream or meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord) caused by the meningococcus germ. The disease is spread by direct close contact with nose or throat discharges of an infected person.  Symptoms can include high fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and rash and appear most often within five days after exposure, but can appear anytime between two and ten days.  Individuals who think they have symptoms suggestive of the disease should contact their health care providers immediately.