McCreary students return to classes today
By JANIE SLAVEN
Record Staff Writer
STEARNS — Less than a week into the new school year, McCreary County School District was forced to cancel classes yesterday as doctors work to determine what’s causing one little girl’s illness.
Rather than swine flu which has dominated recent media coverage, officials were concerned that the Pine Knot Primary student had contracted meningitis, or inflammation of the membranes protecting the brain and spinal column. If caused by bacterial infection, the disease may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities if not treated early.
While not as contagious as cold or flu, the threat of meningitis exposure prompted district officials to call off school after Superintendent Donnie Wright was notified of the situation Sunday evening. Parents were notified through the school system’s One Call Now message service. Monday was spent cleaning facilities and implementing other precautions to promote health safety.
Late yesterday afternoon, Lake Cumberland District Health Department’s Public Health Services Coordinator Amy Tomlinson told The Record that the University of Kentucky Medical Center had ruled out meningitis as the cause of the girl’s symptoms but testing continues to determine the primary cause.
“The child from McCreary County, who was transferred to UK pediatric ward, is in a stable condition, and presumed to have viral encephalitis (Inflammation of the brain),” LCDHD Medical Director Dr. Christine Weyman stated. “Viral encephalitis can be caused by many different viruses and sometimes can follow common viral infections ; recovery is the rule. The specific virus will not be known for several days. Treatment is supportive and there is no prophylactic medicine or vaccine recommended for those who have been close contacts. Good hand hygiene is always recommended.”
Superintendent Wright said that he had been assured by the department that it was safe to return to school and classes were to resume today.
“There will be school in McCreary County tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1,” Wright stated. “We have been informed by our Regional Health Administrator that the precautionary measures taken by our school system will promote safety and good health practices for all of our students and staff.”
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