The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

2 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, February 7, 1989 10 year old Bethany girl dies Meningitis outbreak causing much concern (From page 1) ing seriously ill within a day. eningitis is a life-threatening inflammation of the brain and spi- nal cord caused by a germ in the spinal fluid. It is spread in the same manner as colds and flu, by droplets of in- fection at the back of the throat. Coughing is the common way it Dr. Donald Mikel, medical offi- cer of health for the Haliburton, Kawartha and Pre Ridge Health Unit, said "This is the time of year when it (meningitis) is most prevalent." DR. G. MERCER wishes to announce the opening of his practice of Family Medicine effective February 6, 1989 in association with MEDICAL ASSOCIATES of PORT PERRY 462 PAXTON STREET 985-8422 He said this is not the only area affected by the disease--Windsor has reported eight cases (a different strain--Windsor's is Type B, this area is Type A) in the last few weeks. "This is an organism which is usually carried by 25% of the pop- ulation in their throats, so I don't know why more people don't get it," he said. He does however suspect that the high number of flu cases is a contributing factor in this out- break "With lowered resistance, we're sitting ducks for it," he said. Health officials believed the me- ningitis cases were an unusual co- nincidence of isolated cases until last Friday February 3rd, when new illnesses indicated connec- tions to Grandview Public School and a Manvers Arena hockey tour- nament, held during the last week- end in January, Three suspected cases were ad- mitted Friday to Ross Memorial Hsoptial in Lindsay. All are re- covering. Parents in the Manvers area are expressing grave concerns about the outbreak. Lloyd Cosgrove, manager of the Manvers Arena, said a Novice B hockey tournment on Saturday February 4 and regu- lar league games on Sunday Feb- ruary 5 were cancelled because of parental concerns. The Manvers Minor Hockey As- sociation cancelled the ice time for both events, although a men's league game and a curling bon- spiel on Saturday both went ahead as planned. "They're all concemed. around here," Mr. Cosgrove said. "They all have a right to be." The arena is located right across the road from Grandview Public School, near the comer of High- way 35 on Highway 7A. In a conversation with the Star Monday morning, Mr. Cosgrove said an "Atom game is going ahead as planned tonight." "As far as we're concerned, everything is back to normal around here," he added. "Normal" isn't the word being used at Grandview, though. Principal Ivan Goodhand said, as of Saturday, three cases of menin- gitis were confirmed in his school. A child that was suspected of having the disease did not have it. « "Generally I think the tone in the community is one of grave concern for the children's health," he told the Star. "It's tense. There's tension here." About a dozen families have called the school and said they won't be sending their children this week. "If there's tension and concern about the health of children, I think you have to balance that de- cision to stay home against com- ing to school," he said. "This isn't the flu they're talking about. This is a scarey disease." He has been asked by a multi- tude of parents about the possible closure of Grandview for a week or so, but the health unit has said that would be a redundant treat- ment, because of the drugs given to children last Saturday. But he said he.can't blame any parents who don't want to send their children to school, | The cost of the prophylactic tab- lets (preventative treatment) were $20 per child, provided free by the health unit. 650 children were treated, making the bill $13,000. Mr. Goodhand is impressed with the responsible attitude taken by the health unit. At Cartwright Central Public School, only the one case of me- ningitis has been reported as of Monday moming (the eight year old Nestleton girl). No other cases in Durham have been reported. Principal Roden Rutledge said he has received four or five phone calls from parents inquiring about the little girl and about the disease in general, but he said attendance at the school Monday morning was normal. "Hopefully we're on upswing," he said. Mr. Rutledge sent a letter home to parents January 31 with infor- mation from the medical officer of health for Durham Region, Dr. Jean Gray. She wrote, "This type of sick- ness usually occurs as a single case at a time, therefore at present, it is not advisable for prophylactic tablets to be taken by the student population. Although mass pro- phylaxis is not advised, it is rec- ommended that the health of the students be monitored. "Any student who has fever, headache 'or vomiting should be seen by his or her physician with- out delay. The sickness responds well to treatment if diagnosed ear- the : Ty." . . Students at Grandview who wére given the preventative medicine ri- fampin could be subject to a few side-effects, including orange- coloured urine and nausea, ~~ - The | BRIDAL TOUCH 209 Mary Street, Port Perry 985.8208 11 Brock Street W., Uxbridge 852-9300 a-- AR -- introducing our new line of ... BRIDAL GOWNS BRIDESMAIDS' GOWNS MOTHERS' DRESSES FLOWERGIRL DRESSES enjoy our introductory special of ... 10% OFF our current in-store stock and orders as well as INVITATIONS & WEDDING STATIONERY UPON PRESENTATION OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT Inquire prior to February 28th, 1989 to take advantage of this offer. While visiting us for your Bridalwear, be sure to stop by the PERSONAL TOUCH for your wedding flower requirements. We can also dress the men in your wedding party with a complete line of tuxedos from ... FORMALWEAR FREEMAN and SYD SILVER FORMALWEAR ------