A 14-year-old boy suspected of having meningococcal disease died Saturday at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Harrison Paul Fidler, of North Webster, was an eighth-grader at Wawasee Middle School and homeschooled, according to Wawasee School Corp. Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington. He is the son of Jim and Denise Fidler.
Edington said Harrison Fidler was last at school Wednesday and had to be transported to the hospital Thursday.According to Teresa Miller, RN, communicable disease nurse for Kosciusko County, there are many rumors out there regarding the case, but she confirmed there is only one case.
The health department, Miller said, won't comment on the case specifically.
She said there is no reason for parents to keep their children out of school. Wawasee has taken extra precaution and cleaned the school, but, Miller said, that was not necessary.
"The actual place you are, clean or dirty, isn't a factor in contracting the disease," said Edington. However, for everyone's peace of mind, he said, the school was sanitized anyway.
Edington said he was at the middle school at the start of the day today. Principal Tony Castle met with each grade level today and freely gave students the facts of the disease and dispelled rumors. There is no other case of meningococcal disease, Edington said, and Wawasee Schools has worked closely with the Kosciusko County Board of Health. Ministers and counselors were on hand at the school today to support the students, he said.
Edington said, within the past few weeks, Fidler was a part of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and attended a ski club function.
A press release from the county health department issued today states that the health department, in cooperation with the Indiana State Department of Health, is investigating the case.
"There is only one unfortunate and isolated case. No other illnesses have been reported that meet the criteria of meningococcal meningitis or disease," the release states.
The health department continues to collaborate with the school system, the local hospitals and the ISDH, according to Edington.
In order to become infected, a person must have direct contact with an infected person's saliva during the seven days prior to the onset of illness in order to become infected. The disease is not spread through casual contact or by simply being in the same room as an infected person.
This disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis and generally affects people in two ways: meningitis, an inflammation of the tissues covering the brain and/or spinal cord; or bloodstream infection, that usually leads to bleeding under the skin.
These include, but are not limited to, a sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion and sometimes a rash. Newborns and small infants also may vomit and be tired or very fussy. If any of these signs or symptoms should develop, the person should be taken immediately to a physician or emergency room to be evaluated for possible meningococcal disease.
Close contact means household members, persons who frequently eat or sleep in the same house, persons who spent four to six hours per day together, and persons who have come in contact with saliva of the infected person by kissing or sharing eating and drinking utensils.
For all other persons, according to the KCHD press release, including those who had casual contact as would occur in most school, social or church activities, the risk of infection is very low. Preventive antibiotics are not recommended for casual contacts of infected persons.
There are two vaccines that protect against most types of this disease. A dose of meningococcal vaccine is recommended for children and adolescents 11-18 years old. Meningococcal vaccine also is recommended for other people at increased risk for meningococcal disease such as: college freshmen living in dormitories, U.S. military recruits, travelers to countries where meningococcal disease is common, anyone with a damaged or removed spleen, persons with certain medical conditions that affect their immune system.
Edington said, "We'll keep the facts updated on the Web site and blog. That's one thing: We'd be happy to answer any questions if a parent calls. The third thing is, we're just really thinking about the family and their loss."
He also said several events planned for middle school students tonight have been cancelled out of respect for the family.
All eighth-graders were suppose to have a meeting tonight about planning their schedules for high school. That will be rescheduled.
The seventh- and eighth-grade middle school girls basketball games tonight against Fairfield also have been cancelled.
Edington said Wawasee is working with the parents for some type of memorial service for Fidler this week at the school.
