Schools
Update: Meningitis suspected cause of Six-Year-Old Newark Student
No public health risk for schools, say officials
Bacterial meningitis is the suspected cause of the death of a six-year-old student at the Oliver Street School in Newark last week, according to authorities.
School officials stated that the child was not in school while potentially infectious, and there are no current recommendations for public health action.
The child passed away on Thursday, March 5, following a prolonged absence from school. Following the release of this information, authorities announced that the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness was working with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) to investigate the fatality.
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On Tuesday, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka released a statement about the death:
“We are devastated to learn of the tragic deaths of two Newark youths last week, and I join the entire City in mourning the loss of these future leaders. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these children.
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“We know that the residents, parents, school administrators and students are deeply concerned about this issue and we want everyone to be assured that we are doing everything possible to protect the health of our residents, especially our youngest citizens.
“In the event of school-based public health matters, the Department of Health and Community Wellness’s role is to confirm diagnosis (from State Department of Health), identify potentially affected individuals and provide appropriate treatment where applicable.
“In the case of the Oliver Street School, once the Health Department was contacted by a local hospital. We immediately reached out to the Office of Health Services for Newark Public Schools, and initiated prophylaxis treatment for immediate family members of the deceased.
“At this time there are no recommendations for public health action.”
The mayor’s statement recommended the following information about bacterial meningitis:
· http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/faq/meningococcal_faq.pdf
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