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| Neisseria meningitidis colonies. CDC image. |
BREVARD COUNTY, Florida -- The Florida Department of Health in
Brevard County is working with health care providers,
parents and administrators following the death of a child due to
suspected meningococcal disease at the Brevard Juvenile Detention
Center. Meningococcal disease is a very serious infection of the blood
or membranes around the brain (meningitis). The disease is contagious
and most common in infants, adolescents and young adults.
"We are working closely with officials at
the Brevard Juvenile Detention Center to determine all close contacts of
this child and provide preventive medication to those who may be
impacted," said Dr. Heidar Heshmati, DOH-Brevard director. "Our hearts
go out to the family and friends of this child."
Health Department and corrections officials have provided information to parents of the other
children at the facility and to parents at a group home where the child
also spent time regarding preventive medication that is being made
available to children over the next few days. As of February 21, 2015,
preventive medication was provided to 120 potentially exposed children
and staff.
The bacteria responsible for meningococcal disease, Neisseria meningitidis,
are spread through person-to-person contact, such as occurs within a
household or group setting. Examples include sharing utensils, food or
toothbrushes, drinking from the same cup, sleeping in the same room as
the infected person (household or group room contacts), direct contact
with a patient's oral secretions, or coughing in close contact.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease may
include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, nausea,
vomiting and a skin rash. Health officials advise that people should seek medical attention
immediately if their child becomes ill with any of these symptoms. Vaccines that protect against most types of
meningococcal disease are routinely recommended for adolescents
beginning at 11-12 years of age.
Health officials say that all residents should routinely practice
good hygiene such as covering their noses and mouths when sneezing or
coughing; disposing of soiled tissues; not sharing utensils, glasses or
toothbrushes; and washing hands after bathroom visits and before eating.