558 N. Main St., Prineville, OR 97754 | (541) 447-6205
The fifth case of invasive meningococcal disease has been diagnosed in an infant in Crook County, and a sixth case is pending investigation by the Crook County Health Department.
The infant is less than six months of age, and is being treated at an area hospital and was listed on Monday as being in "fair" condition. The other possible case is a Prineville resident, and they are currently in fair condition in a Central Oregon hospital. The last case is being investigated, and has not been officially diagnosed.
Testing is being done to determine the strain of the bacteria causing the illnesses, and is pending, with results expected by the middle of this week.
The Crook County Health Department has worked to identify persons in the families and medical settings who were close contacts during the infectious period, from Jan. 15 through Jan. 24, 2012. Those people have been notified by the Health Department and preventative antibiotics provided to protect their health. Those identified as close contacts are not a risk to other people.
The fourth case in the last 10 months was a Y serotype, and it was a known direct contact to another case in another county.
“It was not a community exposure here,” clarified Karen Yeargain, Crook County Community Preparedness Coordinator.
Both the Y and C serotypes are vaccine-preventable.
“We have gone through the vaccine that we have available to offer free-of-charge to people without insurance,” said Yeargain.
As of Monday, the Crook County health Department had a supply of vaccinations ordered.
Yeargain also said that she just received information that indicates that pharmacies can give vaccines to persons 11 years of age and above without a prescription, and can give vaccines to those from two to 10 years of age with a doctor’s prescription.
“We have three of our pharmacies here in town; Bi Mart, Rite Aid, and Clinic Pharmacy, who do have the meningococcal vaccine in stock and will be continuing to order as they get requests, so people can also access it through those routes,” added Yeargain.
Pioneer Healthcare is the only clinic that will be carrying the vaccine locally, and they have allocated their 10 doses. They have ordered more, and will continue to order as needed, with a one-week turn around.
In the state of Oregon, an immunization for meningococcal disease is recommended for all children 11 through 18 years of age, college freshmen living in dorms, plus persons 2 - 55 years old with certain medical conditions. Yeargain said that due to the high incidence of cases in the last 10 months, those who fall into these risk groups are encouraged to get the vaccine.
Yeargain said that individuals outside of these recommendations will need to access it through private sources and have insurance to cover it or pay for it. Currently, the cost for a vaccine from a private source is between $100 and $150.
Meningococcal Disease is caused by a bacterium, Neisseria Meningitidis, that is present in the throat or nasal passages of about 15 to 25 percent of the general population at any given time without causing symptoms. Transmission of the meningococcal bacteria is through direct contact with saliva or respiratory secretions of the infected person. In most instances, it does not cause a person to become ill. Occasionally, the bacteria cross the protective mucous membrane barrier and enter the bloodstream.
According to Yeargain, it is possible for people to be carriers without becoming symptomatic or sick with the bacteria. She said there are short-term cases of carriage where a person gets colonized, but doesn’t get sick with the bacteria. Their immune system clears it within three to four weeks. There are also cases where a person can be colonized and carry it for longer periods of time. She also added that they cannot test people who are not sick.
“When someone gets sick, they do both a spinal tap and a blood culture.”
Prevention against the disease includes vaccination against the disease, avoiding being exposed to other peoples’ nasal and throat secretions, avoidance of tobacco smoke either directly or secondhand, and washing hands after contact with surfaces contaminated with respiratory droplets from other people.
“The disease causes tiny blood vessels to break on the surface of the skin and throughout the body”, said Yeargain. “This is what causes the purple rash that appears, which is actually a bruising, and can cause damage to other organs and tissues, including kidney failure or the loss of limbs.”
Factors for invasive meningococcal disease may include a recent upper respiratory illness, smoking, or exposure to second hand smoke. A compromised immune system can also contribute to a person being more susceptible. Some people become ill without any of these risk factors. When meningococcal strikes, illness is rapid and severe and can take the form of bloodstream infection, meningitis or pneumonia.
The first outward symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease may include fever, sore throat, headache and muscle aches, making it similar to other respiratory illnesses circulating this time of year. Later, as the person becomes very ill, they may develop decreased mental function or a purple rash on the skin.
For more information on receiving meningococcal vaccine, call the Health Department at 541-447-5165.
Clinic Pharmacy: 541-447-4111.
Bi Mart: 541-447-4951
Rite Aid: 541-447-2466
Pioneer Health Care Associates: 541-447-6263
