The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

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CURTIS OSTRANDER	DUAINE HARDING
ELEANOR TODD	ELMER "BUD" HAHN
GERVASE KILEY	MARIAN SUTTON
ORLO KIRKUM	SLAVA KOKOTOVICH
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Student remains in serious condition with meningitis

by JENNIFER PRESTON
Observer Staff Writer

      The Romeo High School student first hospitalized in mid-December with meningococcal meningitis remains in the hospital in serious condition.
       "The information we get is very general, but from what we've been told, there have been some signs of progress," said Romeo Schools Superintendent John McEwan.
       The Macomb County Health Department was notified of the suspected case of meningococcal meningitis found in the child attending Romeo High School. Parents were informed of the suspected case by a note sent home by Superintendent John McEwan on Friday, Dec. 19, the last day of school before Christmas break.
       "We've had all of the notifications go out, and we've had all of those closest to him be tested," McEwan said. "As far as we've been informed, he's been the only case (in this area)."
       Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of this infection include fever, headache, stiff neck, and sometimes a red rash. Nausea and vomiting also may occur.
       Meningococcal infection is not highly contagious. An infected person can spread the disease by coughing or sneezing directly in the face of others, kissing a person on the mouth, or sharing a glass or cup. The disease is not spread by casual contact such as passing an infected person in a hallway or on a sidewalk.
       The Macomb County Health Department recommends as a preventative measure a short course of preventive treatment with an antibiotic for people identified as close contacts. The Macomb County Health Department contacted the parents of those who were considered close contacts when the case was confirmed.
       Call the Macomb County Health Department at (586) 783-8190 with any questions.